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)

 

 

 

 



 



City College of San Francisco "Four Years" Champions

   

City College of San Francisco

2015 National Student AIFD Champions

Young Joo Pak, Aimee O'Donnell Saunders, Kyung Yun Kim, Jenny Tabarracci AIFD, CFD(Advisor/Instructor), Hee Joo, So Yeon Kim

City College of San Francisco has won the Overall School Award four consecutive years.  This is a tremendous team accomplishment and all students must score high to achieve this great recognition and award. This Student Design Competition is held every year at the AIFD (American Institute of Floral Designers) National Symposium.  This year it was held in Denver June 30-July 4, 2015.  The Student AIFD (SAIFD) maintains chapters at 15 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. 

2015 City College of San Francisco SAIFD Competition Team

The American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) is the floral industry's leading non-profit organization dedicated to establishing, maintaining and recognizing the highest standard of professional floral design.  AIFD and its worldwide accredited members are at the forefront of the industry in presenting educational design programs and in designing flowers for such renowned events as Tournament of Roses Parade, Academy Awards and Presidential Inaugurations.  Find more information at http://aifd.org/

Members of the AIFD Northwest Region

Awards/Induction Night AIFD Symposium 2015 Denver

 

The SAIFD competition encourages creativity, resourcefulness and focus while giving real-life experience in a high pressure situation.  The competition is an opportunity for the students to use the floral design skills they are developing in classes.  It's a fantastic learning experience and a place to grow as a student designer. It also provides a similar experience to the process for certification by AIFD or membership in the Institute.

 

So Yeon and Kyung Yun creating Body Flowers Design



 

Kyung Yun Body Flowers Design - necklace for a bridesmaid - 45 minutes to complete

 

 

 

So Yeon Body Flowers Design - necklace for a bridesmaid - 45 minutes to complete

 

 

Hee Wedding Design - bridal bouquet -1 hour to complete

 

 

Hee Arrangement Design - place card table - 1 hour to complete

 

 

Hee Duplicate Design - high boy cocktail tables - 1 hour to complete

 

 

Aimee O'Donnell Saunders creating Duplication Design

 

 

 Aimee Arrangement Design - place card table - 1 hour to complete

 

  

 Young Joo creating Duplicate Design 

 

 

Young Joo Body Flowers Design - necklace for a bridesmaid. - 45 minutes to complete 

 

 

Supplies, Tools and Containers allowed for competition

 

Each student received the above bucket of materials for their competition  designs.  They were not required to use all the materials.  There were four categories in the competition:  Arrangement for a place card table, Bridal Bouquet for a Wedding, Two identical Duplicate centerpieces for high boy cocktail tables and Body Flowers necklace for bridesmaid.  The Students had 1 hour for each design except the Body Flowers category was 45 minutes.  There was also a People's Choice category which the viewing public had an opportunity to vote for the table with their favorite student designs.

 

 

The SAIFD competition judging is technical.  Points are given for the methodological use of color, depth, line, balance, focal emphasis, unity and proportion.  Judges strive to set aside subjective opinions, and give high points for well-executed designs. Points are also awarded for creativity, flawless mechanics (neatness, no glue showing, hiding of support systems, technical skill) and appropriate category interpretation.

Requirements to compete as a Student AIFD:

 1.  Student must be an active, novice member of a good standing SAIFD Chapter.

2.  Each student must provide transcripts showing: 2.0 or higher GPA and completion of 15

     semester units or 22 quarter units.

3.  Students may not have worked full time in a retail/wholesale florist as a  designer

     more than 2 years, or part time more than 3 years.

4.  Student has not competed in National Competition at Symposium for more than

     3 years.

5.  The Student is not registered candidate in the AIFD CFD program.

 

2014 City College of San Francisco SAIFD Champions - Chicago

Fiona, Kyung, Ineke, Mia, Hee

 

 

2013 City College of San Francisco SAIFD Champions - Las Vegas

Imelda, Sungmun, Mia, Ariel, Jenny (Advisor/Instructor), Nicole, Ineke, Oxana

 

2012 City College of San Francisco SAIFD Champions - Miami

Kanako, Oxana, Imelda, Jenny (Advisor/Instructor), Yumi, Julie

 

 

 

The next Student AIFD competition is in Anaheim California at the AIFD National Symposium July 3 - July 7, 2016.  Hope you get a chance to see all the amazing designs from the student chapters. 

For more information on SAIFD email Jenny Tabarracci AIFD, CFD at jennytab@comcast.net

  

 

A Day With "Tomas De Bruyne"

Tomas De Bruyne - Floral Designer

I highly recommend taking a seminar with Tomas De Bruyne.  The Floristry Department at City College of San Francisco was privileged to host at their facility this Brilliant Belgian Floral Designer.  Special thanks to The Northwest Region of the American Institute of Floral Designers(AIFD) who presented and coordinated his program/workshop.

One of the many things you learn through his seminar is the importance to continually invest
in yourself.  It's so important for florists/floral designers to continually update our knowledge and enhance our skills to achieve success.  You will also learn that personal and professional development go hand and hand.

The seminar was aimed at students and flower shop owners wishing to stand out from the rest by using the 3 creative M s:  creative mechanics, creative merchandising and creative minds

Tomas being a floral designer, teacher, author and entrepreneur has a rich source of knowledge/experience with much to share. Visit his website www.tomasdebruyne.com for more information on his many accomplishments,upcoming seminars/projects and European Master Certificate.

Design demonstrated by Tomas.

Tomas teaching techniques for a cascade bridal bouquet.

 

 

The completed cascade bouquet that City College of San Francisco Student Cynthia Woods won after attending the workshop.

 

City College of San Francisco's SAIFD President and First Place Winner for the SAIFD Competition in Las Vegas "Ineke Moss" enjoyed assisting and learning techniques from Tomas.

 

Tomas discussing the mechanics of his design and the opportunity to tap into the Special Event Industry with our specialized skills as Floral Designers.

 

City College of San Francisco Student Jennifer Rossi concentrating and learning the intricate detailing for one of the designs Tomas shared in his program.  This was such a wonderful opportunity for CCSF students learning hands on with Tomas.



Emil Yanos AIFD one of the coordinators and assistants for the seminar prepping a design for Tomas's program.





 

Break time with Tomas, Wil, Connie, Lily, Cheryl, Greg and Katherine.  

 

 

 One of many techniques learned at seminar. 

 

 

Techniques with pussy willow. 

 

 

 

Thanks to the Northwest Region of the American Institute of Floral Designers.  This inspiring program and workshop happened because of their efforts and passion for flowers.  Thanks to Wil Gonzalez AIFD and his committee for all their hard work!  This year the American Institute of Floral Designers are celebrating their 50th anniversary.  If your interested in experiencing these types of programs, workshops and presenters go to www.aifd.org.  The next AIFD Symposium is in Chicago Illinois, July 3-7, 2014.

 

This Fabulous Floral Group contributed to the success of Tomas's program. Thanks to all of you for a wonderful experience.  Special thanks to the sponsors of the program who provided their product:  Accent Décor, Brannan Street Wholesale, Smithers-Oasis, KB Flowers and The Sun Valley Group. 

 

Thank You!!

Jenny Tabarracci AIFD

CCSF "Diversity Dazzles" at the American Institute of Floral Designers National Symposium in Las Vegas





 

City College of San Francisco Champion Student Sungmun Ryu modeling designs by Jim Dempsey AIFD, CFD from his program "Hand/Craft" presented at AIFD Symposium in Las Vegas, July 1st, 2013.

 

The City College of San Francisco’s SAIFD (Student American Institute of Floral Designers) Menzies Chapter won first place overall for the Student Design Competition at the AIFD (American Institute of Floral Designers) National Symposium in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 27th, 2013.  The Champion Students are Oxana Sanukova, Ineke Moss, Sungmun Ryu, Maria Pettyjohn, Nicole Kastle, Ariel Ermatinger and Imelda Iraeta.

 

 



 

 CITY COLLEGE OF SAN FRANCISCO

FIRST PLACE CHAMPIONS

 

 

The SAIFD Competition is a popular and exciting event at AIFD Symposium.  It's a breath of fresh air, and a chance to see new talent.  It’s truly a thrill for the students to observe and interact with professional designers/attendees from all over the world as their designs are on display after the competition.  Attendees can choose their favorite student designer and vote for them in the People’s Choice category.  There is a special night/dinner dedicated to all award recipients.   AIFD Symposium to many students is an unforgettable life learning experience that has built a platform for their future.

SAIFD Students preparing materials before Competition in Las Vegas

 

 

City College of San Francisco’s team won nine of the fifteen awards and are now the AIFD Student Chapter Champions for the second consecutive year. Seneca College from Ontario Canada placed second overall and Joliet Junior College from Joliet, Illinois place third overall.  There were fourteen SAIFD College Chapters throughout the United States and Canada that participated in the competition with 48 students in the competition.  The design categories were Wedding, Sympathy, Arrangement for an art opening and Body Flowers.  The students had 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete the designs.

 

City College of San Francisco Student Ineke Moss was the First Place Overall SAIFD Champion at AIFD Symposium in Las Vegas, 2013.

City College of San Francisco team member Ineke Moss won four individual awards including first place overall.  Oxana Sanukova won first place Arrangement and third place Sympathy.  Nicole Kastle won second place Sympathy and Ariel Ermatinger won second place in Body Flowers.  The intriguing designs executed by team members Imelda Iraeta, Maria Pettyjohn and Sungmun Ryu contributed to the Overall School Award with the highest average score.

The team’s success is due to outstanding commitment, extreme passion, and diverse backgrounds.  There were five consecutive weeks of practice sessions before the competition.  This was a tremendous commitment and dedication of time for the students and instructors.  It takes a certain type of student to compete and make this commitment. The pure passion and talent for floral design is a key ingredient that instructors look for and are able to recognize in their students as they enter and go through the Environment Horticulture/Retail Floristry program at City College of San Francisco.  Instructors encourage, mentor and lead the path for this developmental process.  Instructors in the Retail Floristry Division at City College of San Francisco are AIFD members and have an extensive background in student competition.

City College of San Francisco Students Nicole Kastle, Ineke Moss and Oxana Sanukova during summer practice sessions before SAIFD Competition in Las Vegas.

City College of San Francisco is known for its diversity and this is also an important factor for the team’s success.  The blending of many cultures into one team produces individual uniqueness and a dynamic creative force.  We have students from all over the world.  This year we had students from Germany, Russia, Korea, El Salvador, Philippines and California on the team.

The Environmental Horticulture/Retail Floristry program and outside organizations such as the San Francisco Garden Club assist with scholarship funding for the student incurred competition expenses.  Kitayama Brothers Inc., one of the largest growers in the USA with over one million square feet of greenhouse and over 20 acres of outside production in Watsonville, California, invites students to participate in their annual open house competition.  This provides an excellent opportunity for the students to practice their newly learned skills before the AIFD National Symposium.

Students are advised and trained by instructors:  Jenny Tabarracci AIFD, CFD, Steven Brown Department Chair AIFD, CFD, Holly Money-Collins AIFD, CFD and Soho Sakai, AIFD, CFD.



Robert Kitayama and Kitayama Brothers Inc. are a major factor in the success of City College of San Francisco's First Place Teams.  Robert stands next to the design of student alumni Julie Harris.  She was a 2012 SAIFD Champion on the First Place Team when the AIFD competition was held in Miami, Florida.  Currently, she is the Designer and Owner of her business Julie Harris Floral Design.

 

The Environmental Horticulture/Retail Floristry Department is a hidden gem that has existed since the 1930’s.  The department program offers a complete curriculum that maintains strong links with horticulture, flower shop/studio owners, growers, wholesalers and manufacturers. More information about the college and program can be found at www.ccsf.edu                                                                                                              

Instructors in The Environmental Horticulture/Retail Floristry Department at City College of San Francisco:  Jenny Tabarracci AIFD, CFD, Steven Brown Department Chair AIFD, CFD, Holly Money-Collins AIFD, CFD, Soho Sakai AIFD, CFD, Robert Broucaret, Thomas Wang, Auguste Broucaret and Malcolm Hillan.   

 

The next SAIFD Competition will be held July 3-7, 2014 at the Chicago Hilton in Chicago, IL.  You can visit www.aifd.org for more information.

 

Only one month into the Fall Semester and new talent is starting to twinkle..............................................................