Hitomi Gilliam Inspires at City College of San Francisco



Design by Hitomi Gilliam AIFD

The students in the Environmental Horticulture and Floristry Department at City College of San Francisco www.ccsf.edu were intrigued, fascinated and inspired by internationally renowned master designer Hitomi Gilliam design358.com/hitomi  at their annual fall semester Artist in Residence Program.  Hitomi focused on new and exciting mechanics in the industry, trends, and how to be a profit minded floral artist.  She discussed the importance of education, investing in yourself and charging appropriately for creative talent and time.  Her designs and presentation enabled the students to gain insight and encouragement to explore possibilities within the industry and to reach their full potential.

 

The photo above is a  horizontal construction displaying the importance of the handcrafted look and her artistry with interesting materials and line.  The fresh materials were gathered from the horticulture greenhouses and gardens of City College with beautiful specimens of Adiantum tenerum, Jasmine polyanthum, Agapanthus africanus and Senecio cineraria.  Hitomi purposely accents her materials to show the pleasing imperfections which is a sought after trend. One way she does this is wrapping water tubes and the wooded supports with natural twine such as jute in an uneven manner.  She also discusses the importance of transparency in her designs.  This is an important topic taught and learned in the European Masters Certification Program (EMC) which Hitomi and Tomas De Bruyne  www.tomasdebruyne.com have partnered and jointly run together. emcprogram.com













Hitomi Gilliam AIFD, Jenny Tabarracci AIFD, Tomas De Bruyne, Holly Money-Collins AIFD
at San Francisco Flower Market

 

Wonderful opportunity and privilege for the students to work with floral artists such as Hitomi.  (above) Students of the American Institute of Floral Designers (SAIFD) Hee Joo and So Yeon Kim assisted and demonstrated in Hitomi's presentation.  Also Sue Tabbal-Yamaguchi AIFD assisted with Hitomi's presentation.

Hitomi sketched in large scale the beginnings of her design process for the group on the chalk board.  This provided a clear vision for all.  Sketching your designs before executing them is a fantastic way to initiate the creative process.

Hitomi executed the constructions of her sketched designs and proceeded to place fresh materials within her compositions.

Hitomi demonstrated ways to reinvent glass vases with flat wire and spray paint.

Steven Brown AIFD Department Chair gave the welcoming greetings to the group and was the point person for procurement and coordinating facility.  Special guest Wil Gonzalez AIFD the representative for AIFD North West Region spoke about upcoming scholarships and the American Institute of Floral Designers National Symposium in Orange County.  

 

http://aifd.org/

 

Hitomi shared her designs and concepts with the European Master Certification Group that was visiting City College.

 

Hitomi's construction and mechanics for a chandelier design.

This was a fantastic educational learning collaboration with City College of San Francisco, American Institute of Floral Designers and European Master Certification Program.   Many thanks to everyone and especially to Hitomi for sharing her expertise and floral artistry.

(picture above:  So Yeon Kim, Hitomi AIFD, Hee Joo, Young Joo Pak, Jenny Tabarracci AIFD)