Creativity vs. technique

What do you need to become a good florist: creativity or technique? Floral Design teacher Karin Pasman from Lentiz vocational college and student Lolita (Flower & Design) discuss what is necessary to become a good florist. 

According to Karin, you have to be creative to work in this profession, but you also need to master the necessary techniques. “You need both creativity and technique in the floristry profession,” says Karin. “Some students may have already had flower arranging lessons at pre-vocational secondary school, while others that come from college would never have made a bouquet before. Everyone learns differently. You can’t always teach creativity, but we always encourage students to give it a go. It then usually just happens.” 

Lolita adds: “I went to a nature-oriented secondary school, so I already had some experience. And I also come from a nature-loving family, where I grew up surrounded by flowers and plants. But that doesn’t mean I already knew everything. During Karin’s flower arranging lessons, I learned that you have to be a perfectionist and work neatly.” Karin adds: “Yes, I am critical, but always with one goal in mind: I want to deliver the best.” Nodding, Lolita says: “I really like you being so critical. Otherwise, you'll never learn.”