Few things, for me, match the joy of engaging in the creative process and teaching Floral Design. Both experiences enrich my own practice and every year I also learn a lot from analysing and appreciating my students' work. 

 

I've learnt not to be surprised by the range of unique approaches that each designer can take to a given brief and the design insights I gain from my peers, both within the courses I teach and beyond.

 

2025 was rich with learnings for me and, I hope, for all of us who share this passion for floral design.

It’s no secret that I love green (and brown!). Perhaps it shows in our January Design of the Month. I’m not necessarily a huge fan of yellow, though. In this design, however, the sunny hue of the Roses and Craspedia draws the eye into the design and the main area of interest, and brings out the yellow in the cartoonish lime colour of the vase.

 

I created the arrangement for Flower Thinking’s One Container Five Elements program, in this instance with a focus on the element of space. The container itself feels like it is all about mass - solid and dense, with only a small opening. To contrast with this, I sandwiched its form between two transparent, oversized tatami discs of fine, green rattan cane. The discs are supported by inverted branches anchored in the vase and attached to each other. I sprayed a couple of dried Strelitzia leaves the same colour as the container to help spread that luminous colour value up into the composition and ensure stronger rhythm.

In One Container Five Elements we explore each of the five elements of design. Choose a vessel and use it repeatedly after analysing its line, colour, form, texture and spatial qualities. You’ll bring one element at a time to the forefront and understand its value in the creative process.

 

If you want to master proportion in design, Design Directions can help deepen your understanding of design styles while concentrating on how proportions are directed in floral compositions. Linear, long, low and leaning challenges will enrich how you apply the principles of design.

 

Advanced Directions offers opportunities to expand your thinking and unlock more creative possibilities in contemporary designing. Creating compositions to align with specific design parameters will push your thinking to new heights.

 

When facing a problem in a floral design, it's tempting to reach for more material. In Design Solutions we choose just two botanical materials and use them repeatedly to create a range of design styles. Using less material variety increases the focus on design principles and encourages you to find effective answers to issues we encounter in the creative process.

 

Floral competitions can be tough but they teach you a lot! Designing to Win lets you build your confidence and chances of success in floral competitions without the stress of actually entering the race. Refine your approach to schedule requirements and interpreting themes by creating a design and then remaking it, only better, after feedback and shared discussions.

 

If you want to uncover or rediscover your "design voice", discover new approaches to floral innovation or just spark more joy in your floral designing, consider joining us for Flower Thinking Connections in Sydney this August. Esteemed German Master Florist Gregor Lersch will be teaching a three day hands-on workshop focused on floral Innovation and a deeply engaging one day symposium explaining and demonstration his approach to the creative process. The full program with all details including pricing will be announced on Saturday 28 February. To receive the announcement, add your name to the list.