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Arizona State Florists Association

 

Why Compete in Designer of the Year?

Designer of the Year is a fun, in person design contest hosted by the Arizona State Florists Association at the annual convention every year at the end of July. The competition has 2 parts. First, you bring the materials of a preplanned design that meets all the rules and criteria of the competition(See below). There is a time limit when everyone builds this piece. Then clean up your space and clear your head, because the second part is a surprise package! Each competitor receives the same product and is given a theme for the composition. This surprise package design is also timed. Then clean up and move out of the area, because the design evaluators arrive! Three judges evaluate each design, then the scores are tallied and the winner is announced at the conclusion of the day. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners receive a trophy and monetary prize! This year's 1st place winner will be asked to compete in the Arizona Flower Market's Dueling Design competition in the fall. 
Attendees of the convention love to watch this event take place. They also have the opportunity to cast a vote on their favorite design. This award is called People's Choice and the winner also receives a prize.
Why should you compete? Competition gives you a chance to do what you do best, and put your design knowledge and skills to the test. It is a good time to revisit the Elements and Principles of design. The Designer of the Year score sheet is based on the Elements and Principles. Competition is also good practice for floral design accreditation testing. This also gives you the opportunity to get feedback on your design skills from peers and professional judges. Search for new ideas, master new techniques, experiment with products and then focus on becoming Designer of the Year!

 

2025 Theme: Taylor Swifts “Floral Eras” Tour

Choose from the following Taylor Swift “ERA’S” and create your own floral interpretation of it, be sure to include a placard naming your Era and any explanation or information you like.

Red
1989
Lover
Folklore
Midnights 
Tortured Poets Department

 

Design time: 30 minutes to complete (Tools need to be down when time is called) 

Price Limit: $100 wholesale (Excluding props)

Rules

  • Rules: Props are not included in the cost and must enhance the design, not be the design. Props may only be pre-done using non floral materials. All fresh products must be assembled during design time. No glue pans or glue guns allowed (tube glue is ok). Props may be pre assembled, pre painted and foam may be attached & pre-soaked. No other materials may be added prior to start time. 
  • Materials: You may use fresh, silk, dried, or any floral product as long as it is in the original state, no pre-cutting, pre-sizing, pre-polishing or altering. 
  • Deliverability: must be moved and deliverable by a single person. 
  • Qualifying judges: Will compare your product brought to your cost sheet. Anything not listed or over limit will be confiscated prior to competition. 
  • Design Judges: There will be 3 qualified judges evaluating each design based on the attached score sheet. Combined scores of both pieces will reflect the placement of the winners.

Guidelines

  • You must be registered for the current convention
  • You must be an ASFA member in good standing or work at any ASFA shop
  • You will be given #’s for both pieces and judged by these only
  • All names or shops information will be kept confidential
  • No spray painting or glue guns allowed
  • No flammable products such as candles, sparklers, torches, etc are permitted
  • Both arrangements will be moved for judging
  • Score sheets may not be returned
  • Your registration form and fee must be submitted by July 10th 2024

What can disqualify me?

  • Not being set up between 7:00-8:00 am the morning of the competition. This is the qualifying time and if you are not there with a cost sheet you will not qualify.
  • If you continue to work after the timer has said “Stop”, you will be disqualified. You will have 45 minutes to design your piece with a 15, 10, 5, and 1 minute warning. 
  • If you do not present a cost sheet with your products, you will be disqualified. The maximum wholesale price is not to exceed $100.00. The Qualifying judge will check your cost sheet against your buckets. If you have a product not listed on the cost sheet it will be confiscated. You may only use what you have listed on the cost sheet. 
  • Props must be within the size restrictions. If not you will be disqualified. Pre-made props may be made up using any floral product (mosses, vines, willow, branches etc). Props can be pre-made using non floral construction materials such as stone, metal, plastic, piping, etc. If you have a question please call the contest director. No floral material may be pre-attached to your prop. 
  • The materials used in your design must be their natural stem length or original purchase state. Nothing can be pre-cut, pre-measured, pre-painted or pre-polished. Altered materials will be confiscated.

 

If you would like to download a physical copy of the application/Information Packet, that can be found HERE
 

For more information, please contact Brian Vetter AAF AIFD PFCI AzMF  ||  602-908-9024 || [email protected]

 

Sponsored by: Arizona Flower Market