The PFDE consists of designing five arrangements and setting your "table" within a four-hour time limit. Categories include sympathy tribute, arrangement, wedding, flowers to wear, and designer's choice. Designs will be evaluated on the following criteria: category interpretation, scale/proportion, balance (physical and visual), line (movement and rhythm), unity (harmony and texture), and mechanics/professional application. Each of the design evaluation criteria will be scored on a 5-point-scale, 5 being excellent. To pass, the cumulative score must be 20 pints or better with no one design scoring less than 3.75. If this is achieved the participant will have their name submitted to the AIFD® Membership Committee suggesting they be asked to become an AIFD® Accredited member. Upon successful PFDE results and acknowledgment from the membership committee the designers will be pinned and able to use the AIFD® accreditation after their names come next July at the AIFD® National Symposium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Amanda has been designing for Countryside since 2000 and Suzie since 2010. Perhaps one of them has designed your wedding, party, sympathy tribute or everyday floral arrangement. Please join us in wishing them the best of luck in their testing at the American Institute of Floral Design PFDE. It not only takes skillful understanding of the Principals and elements of design but also heart, dedication, and determination to even become ready to take this step in their career. No mater the outcome, these designers are talented professionals ready to take this step and show the world what they can do!