Maine Florists' and Growers' Association.
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Maine State Florists' & Growers' Association
Education Division
Maine Masters
Floral Design - mmfd
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Challenge
Integrity
Professionalism
Knowledge
Commitment
Personal Growth
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   One of MSF&GA goals is to provide quality education for its’ members.  They are pleased to now offer the Maine Master Floral Design School (mmfd).  The advanced floral design course will provide the specialized, up-to-date, and in-depth knowledge of the elements and principles of design coupled with experience in floral mechanics and techniques.  This course of study will be applied to floral compositions that are complex in theory and design.  mmfd was established in 2003 to promote floral design excellence for the members of MSF&GA.  The focus is to provide a source for higher standards in the art of floristry.

Instructor - Mark Pellon mmfd

       2006 Graduates:

          Eric Anthony, Sawyer & Company, Portland, ME
          Linda Baehr, Berry & Berry, Gardiner, ME
          Kristen Beland, Berry & Berry, Gardiner, ME
          Karen Duncan, Cook Florist, Presque Isle, ME
          Barbara Frye, Chapel Hill Floral, Bangor, ME
          Amy Murphy, Cook Florist, Presque Isle, ME
          Leslie Otto, Fleur de Lis, South Portland, ME
          Jason Parent, Harmon's & Barton's, Westbrook, ME
          Libby Sawyer, Lady Slipper, Gray, ME

         2005 Graduates:

Mark Pellon, Chapel Hill Floral, Bangor, ME
Gail Royal, Westside Florist, Southwest Harbor, ME
Jan Holmes, Holmes Greenhouses, Belfast, ME
Rhonda Little, Millinocket Floral, Millinocket, ME
Lisa LaGrange, KMD Florist & Gift House, Waterville, ME
Trish Smith, Riverside Florist, Dover-Foxcroft, ME
Roxanne Noddin, Roxanne Marie's Flower Design Studio, Kenduskeag, ME
Deb Nisbett, Chadwick Florist & Greenhouses, Houlton, ME

2004 Graduates:

Wendi Allen
Dick Avery, Marie's Flowers, Brewer,ME
Janet Black, Designs, Bethel, ME
Jenni Brooks Spitfire Landscape Inc, Union, ME
Martine Eastman, Gnome Gardens, Jay, ME
Susan Laferriere, Chapel Hill Floral, Bangor, ME
Hilda Lewis, Lewis Flowers & Gifts, Eastport, ME
Shelley Pease, Shelley's Flowers & Gifts, Waldoboro, ME
The class of 2004 are the founding members and are the curriculum advisors.  any policy changes will be under their direction.

Honorary Members
Carmen Nelson AAF, AIFD, PFCI, MMF, mmfd
Ann Jordan AAF, AIFD, mmfd


Course Out-line
Due to the nature of this course the classes are progressive and must be taken in order.

Class 1 - Introduction To Advanced Design — Theory

What is Advanced Design? What is theory?
Introduction to — Guideline of Arrangement Categories
Elements
Color
Space
Principles
Proportion
Rhythm
Focal Area
Focal Point
Balance
Design Styles
Formal Linear
Mass
Hogarth
Techniques
Kubari
Armature
Framing
Grouping
Design 1 - a Formal Linear Arrangement
Design 2 - a Hogarth Curve
Design 3 - a Clear Glass Vase using a Kubari and Armature
Written Test - Open Book
Announce Topic of essay due with notebook class 4

 

Class 2 - Advanced Wedding Design
Elements
Form
Line
Principles
Harmony
Unity
Design Styles
Crescent
Cascade
Techniques
Hand Tying
Detailing
Wrapping
Clustering
Banding
Binding
Design 1 - Bouquet in a foam holder
Design 2 - Hand tied bouquet, with an armature or without
Design 3 - a wired corsage, or other body flowers and boutonnières
Written Test - Open Book
Class 3 - Advanced Design
Elements
Texture
Pattern
Size
Principles
Tension
Contrast
Emphasis/Dominance
Depth
Opposition
Repetition
Design Styles
Vegetative
Waterfall
Techniques
Pave
Tufting
Veiling
Pillowing
Sheltering
Design 1 - Vegetative
Design 2 - Waterfall
Design 3 - Designers Choice
Written Test - Open Book
Class 4 - Final Exams
  • Final Exam
  • Design 1-Surprise Package
  • Design 2-Theme Development
  • Designer  Notebook

  • Test Retake Policy

    • A student may retake the written test up to 2 times within 1 year from taking the class.
    • A student may retake the design portion up to 2 times within 1 year from taking the class, with a $15.00 fee applied for materials, per design. 
    •  A retaken hands on design can be made up to a maximum passing grade of 40 points only.
    • If the student requires a 3rd testing, the class must be re-taken in its entirety and all fees are applied.
    • If any portion of class 4 is failed the retake option will be during the following year classes.
    • Written tests (classes 1-2-3) retake-arrangements must be made between instructor and student, with a maximum possible passing grade of 80.
    • Retake the test during class 4 is available after testing not on the Friday before.


    Criteria to pass mmfd

    • Completion of all four classes with a pass rate of 80% including final exam.
    • Completion of mmfd designer notebook.
    • 100% attendance.
    • Upon passing mmfd you will receive:
      • Accreditation Certificate
      • The MSF&GA - mmfd pin
      • A press release from MSF&GA
      • mmfd addendum after your name in the MSF&GA directory
        • Graduation and pinning to be held at a MSF&GA function and will be announced at the last class.  At this time, the student with the highest grade will be announced.
    Grading
    40% written test
    40% design evaluation
    20% notebook
    100% attendance must be maintained
    What to bring
    • A fully equipped toolbox - all the design bench supplies you use daily
    • Something to elevate your work
    • Any favorite material you like to work with.
    • You will be supplied with basic supplies and in quantities to complete all hands on designs.  Sturdents may bring anything extra; it is welcome and encouraged, items such as accent material, beads, wire, roadsidia, branches, containers, binding agents, glue pan...
    • Lunch - pot luck to share, utensils plates and napkins are provided
    • Basic containers will be provided, see list of designs to be done at each class.  If you would like to bring a container that is suitable and is a container you like to use, feel free to bring them.
    • Buckets for your flowers
    • Camera - pictures are a notebook requirement
    • 3 ringed binder with 6 separators
    • Required Books
    • Wear warm layers of clothing
    Fees
    $95 fee per class (checks payable to MSFGA) - prices include most product

    - Must be paid 7 days prior to scheduled class

    -Mail class #1 fee with registration form to instructor

    -Free attendance to a member of mmfd to observe any classes, a fee for hands on will be applied if the member wants to design.

    -Classes are paid for one class at a time.  Other arrangements must be approved by the instructor.

    Books - Mandatory per student - Please have books by the first class.

    Florists’ Review - Design School
    Available at some wholesalers or
    Order direct - Florists’ Review: 1-800-367-4708 www.floristsreview.com

    Not Mandatory but helpful

    AIFD - Book of Terminology
    Order direct - AIFD: 1-410-752-3318 or www.AIFD.org

    Principles of Floral Design - Gregor Lersch — $60.00 plus shipping
    Order direct at: www.gunters.com


    AIFD-Guide to Floral Design Terms, Techniques, Traditions  Order direct from AIFD
    *If you purchase this book, you do not need AIFD- Book of Terminology

    The mmfd Designer's Notebook

       The Designer's notebook is meant to be your personal designers journal.  Notebooks are the property of the student and will be returned at graduation.

    • Class Notes                             Handouts
    • Design Evaluations                   Tests
    • Notes, pictures, and support information from Classes 1-3
    • Verification of at least 6 techniques as found in nature
    • Essay (100 word or more) -topics to be announced

     

    Class Dates 2008

    Classes 1 - Introduction - Advanced Design - Theory

                    July 20, 2008 - Bennett Wholesale, Bangor, Maine


    Class 2 - Advanced Design

                    August 17, 2008 - Bennett Wholesale, Bangor, Maine

    Class 3 - Advanced Design

                    September 21, 2008 - Bennett Wholesale, Bangor, Maine

    Class 4 - Advanced Design Final - Surprise Package and Theme Development

                    October 26, 2008 - Bennett Wholesale, Bangor, Maine

     

    All classes will be held from 8:30 AM (sharp) — 4:30 PM with a 1/2 hour lunch break.

    Who is eligible to take the class?

    1) Must be a member in good standing of MSF&GA or an employee of a member shop in good standing.
    AND
    2) Must have passed MSF&GA’s Professional Certified Florist Program (PCF) with 5 years exposure to floral design.
    OR
    A comparable or advanced course of study such as AIFD, college degree in retail floriculture or equivalent and 3 years exposure to floral design.
    OR
    3) Must have 5 years full time design experience. (Students must be able to show proof of design experience).
    All eligibility for enrollment will be up to the MSF&GA Education Chairman and the instructor. Due to the nature of study, eligibility will be strictly enforced.

    What will the 4 classes consist of?
    All focus will be on advanced design. The morning session will consist of lecture followed by hands on design and evaluation then a written test. The afternoon session will be hands on design, followed by an evaluation.  Each class will focus on specific elements, principles and design techniques.  Use the class outline for preparation.

    Self-study is required prior to each class.

    The Final Exam
    The final exam will consist of a written test and 2 designs, one being a surprise package, the other being theme development, the themed design will be announced at the first class.
    Test results will be mailed following the class. The test will be the property of the student, as they will change yearly.

    Design Materials
    You will be provided with enough floral materials to complete your designs, if you would like to purchase materials above what is provided you may do so at your own expense.  Students provide all material for the vegetative, designer's choice, and theme development.  Basic containers are supplied but students may bring containers that are suitable for the design styles and also accent material such as decorative wire, beads, and pods.

    Cancellation Policy
    There is no refund for cancellation, however the fees may be applied to a future class, this also applies to weather related cancellations.

    For more information contact the instructors:
    Mark Pellon mmfd          info@chapelhillfloral.com             207-942-7386

    Deb Nisbett mmfd         dbnisbett@yahoo.com       207-532-3520
    Ann Jordan AAF, AIFD, mmfd        ann@ajdesigns.us    207-650-4709



    The Designers Edge
    For more information and updates watch for The Designers Edge in the MSF&GA Newsletter - a column by the Members of mmfd.  The instructor will select a member to write articles to submit.
    Criteria to maintain mmfd addendum
      Must remain an active member of Maine State Florists’ and Growers’ Association.

      Must Accumulate 20 points every 3 years to maintain membership

      • 5 points for writing a column in the Designers Edge
      • 5 points for attending a design show, design related workshop
      • 5 points for being on a design panel or giving a presentation such as Garden Club or Fryeburg Fair or MSF&GA show
      • 5 points for assisting in a mmfd class
      • 5 points for being on the executive board
      • 5 points for serving on an active MSF&GA committee
      • 5 points for entering in a design competition

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