American Institute of Floral Designers
Encyclopedia
The American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD), established in 1965, is a the oldest and largest non-profit organization
dedicated to recognizing and promoting the art of floral design
as a professional career. Its more than 1200 members engage in a variety of professional programs and activities through a network of six (6) regional chapters throughout the United States and Canada.
Applicants also need to successfully complete a written test which covers the elements and principles of floral design and fresh flower
care and handling.
To maintain membership, accredited designers are required to document continuing education
in the field.
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
dedicated to recognizing and promoting the art of floral design
Floral design
Floral design is the art of using plant materials and flowers to create a pleasing and balanced composition. Evidence of refined floristry is found as far back as the culture of Ancient Egypt....
as a professional career. Its more than 1200 members engage in a variety of professional programs and activities through a network of six (6) regional chapters throughout the United States and Canada.
Membership
To receive accreditation as a full member, and use the designation 'AIFD', candidates must demonstrate their design artistry by creating five (5) arrangements in specific categories which are announced during the Accreditation Evaluation testing. Designs are evaluated by members of the AIFD National Membership Committee for the following attributes:- Category Interpretation
- Scale (Proportion)
- Balance (Physical and Visual)
- Line (Movement and Rhythm)
- Color (Balance, Harmony and Rhythm)
- Creativity
- Unity (Harmony & Texture)
- Focal Emphasis
- Depth
- Mechanics (Professional Application)
Applicants also need to successfully complete a written test which covers the elements and principles of floral design and fresh flower
Flower
A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants . The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs...
care and handling.
To maintain membership, accredited designers are required to document continuing education
Continuing education
Continuing education is an all-encompassing term within a broad spectrum of post-secondary learning activities and programs. The term is used mainly in the United States and Canada...
in the field.