Mercedes Pilgrim - CCSF Featured Alumni



The Special Events class (RF 88) at City College of San Francisco https://www.ccsf.edu/ was delighted to have Mercedes Pilgrim present a program on Wednesday, May 10th, 2017.  Mercedes is an alumni from the Retail Floristry Department at City College of San Francisco.  She was an award winning SAIFD member who competed on the college's floral design team.  Mercedes was an outstanding student in all aspects during her time in the department.  She also completed the European Master Certification program with Tomas De Bruyne and Hitomi Gilliam AIFD http://emcprogram.com/.  Mercedes is now the Floral Department Manager at McCalls Catering & Events http://www.mccallssf.com/.  McCall's is a leading catering and event management company located in the San Francisco Bay area that provides in-house floral and event design specialists.

Mercedes spoke about her career path beginning as a CCSF student and now working in the industry for several years.  She explained  the benefits and importance of freelancing for different event companies to keep busy, learn the business and eventually working with a regular team of designers.  She discussed the current wages in San Francisco for a freelance floral designer.  Mercedes described her current job operations from consultations and pricing to the logistics of setting up and striking an event.

Designing an elevated centerpiece for a themed event is each students final semester project. Mercedes presented many different themed designs the company does in popular venues through out the Bay Area. She explained the hot trend of "Futuristic Tech Events".  Her expertise inspired the students further for their final projects and gave them more insight into this type of designing.

Mercedes explained how this centerpiece has a mushroom shape which is currently popular with brides. The flowers are designed in a lomey designer dish that is attached on top of the vase.  The mechanics are floral foam, chicken wire and waterproof bowl tape.

Mercedes gave tips on  how to transport/deliver elevated arrangements by using mache containers upside down.  Then placing arrangement inside a custom wooden delivery box.  The arrangement is initially attached with floral clay to the mache.

 

The popularity and effectiveness of Illuminated designs was discussed and how this design works well for cocktail tables. 

Floating flowers are another quick and simple way to decorate an event.  The cymbidium orchids are inserted with 12 gauge aluminum wire and reinforced with decorative wire.

This Futuristic Event prop can be used  with or without flowers.

Themed centerpiece design for a fundraiser at the San Francisco Zoo.  Mercedes explained how the arrangement coordinated with the animal print linens on the guest tables.

"Yosemite National Park" themed centerpiece design.  Christmas greens, rocks, lichen branches, hydrangea, hypericum berries, feverfew and tiny clusters of waxflower are used to achieve the environmental look of that area.

Mercedes gave tips on making handtied bouquets and rubber banding them so the flowers don't fall out on delivery or set up.  She also discussed using waterproof faux greenery to cover the mechanics in a clear vase.  The faux greenery does not create bacteria and is reusable.

 Mercedes plans to attend the American Institute of Floral Designers National Symposium http://aifd.org/ in July.  She was invited to test for their PFDE.  This is the on site process/step to become an AIFD member.  We applaud and congratulate her on the beginning of this great journey and all of her remarkable accomplishments.  Thanks Mercedes, for presenting and visiting us. We wish you great things with all your future endeavors.

 

Jenny Tabarracci AIFD

Leopoldo Gomez - Floral Interiorism

 Leopoldo Gomez is a renowned international teacher of Floral Design.  He is the co-founder of Centro de Arte Floral located in Mexico City which provides an in depth curriculum of floral design classes.   City College of San Francisco's Environmental Horticulture/Floristry Department and the American Institute of Floral Designers North West Region partnered together to host and coordinate an amazing program that featured this exceptional new talent who is rising quickly in the Floral Industry.  The program was sponsored by the Master Florists Association http://www.masterfloristsassn.org/, City College of San Francisco https://www.ccsf.edu/, United Wholesale Flowers https://unitedwholesaleflowers.com/ and Accent Decor, Inc. https://www.accentdecor.com/.   Many thanks to these wonderful industry sponsors for the beautiful fresh product, unique containers and supplies.

 

Floral Interiorism was the program topic which is described as "Creating multi-use designs that your customers can enjoy again and again.  Leopoldo explored this topic using his striking color palettes, vivid combinations of textures and masterfully-crafted armatures and structures.  Many of Leopoldo's designs are influenced and inspired by the culture of Mexico where he lives. 

 

The stunning Aura Planter from Accent Decor, Inc. above was used for a featured design in the program. Wooden dowels were inserted and glued into styrofoam and then floral foam was placed on top for the water source.  Emil Yanos AIFD assisted by creating a band of woven raffia to compliment the texture of the planter.  Leopoldo completed the design by adding gorgeous snowball viburnum harvested from the department gardens.

 

Susan Ishkanian AIFD glued, stacked and layered beautiful Wood Slices from Accent Decor, Inc.  The green vase was used as a mold to create the shape for this unique container.

Water tubes are wired to structure for the water source. 



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Susan and SAIFD student Jungwa Han created water tubes from hot wax and then added crayons for striking color effects.

 

Leopoldo completed the design with stunning materials provided by United Wholesale Flowers, Repetto Nursery, Blossom Valley Floral, Inc. and Mt. Eden Floral Company.  Thank you sponsors!!

 

SAIFD student Dahee Han gluing marbles on a glass mold to create a unique container.

Water tubes are hot glued inside for water source. 

Leopoldo creates dancing flowers. 

CCSF Alumni Imelda Iraeta created a container designed with Leopoldo's custom chicken wire technique.  This was achieved by twisting and shaping bale wire. The Reclaimed Wood Base is from Accent Decor's collection.  Orchid grass was adhered with wood glue to complete the container.

Water tubes covered with orchid grass and gold wire is the technique for the water source.  Tubes were glued into container with oasis glue.

 

 SAIFD student Sohyun Kwak assisting with Leopoldo's creation.  Pencils were used to achieve order in disorder.

 

Leopoldo explaining above the mechanics for his design concept.  Attendees worked in groups for the hands on part of the program.

Attendees enjoying working together on the group projects.  Great learning atmosphere. The Riva Tray by Accent Decor was use as a water source and base to this design.  12 gauge aluminum wire was used to bind birch branches together. 

 

Leopoldo explaining a group project using galax leaves and a Reclaimed Hollow Stump from Accent Decor's collection.  Holes were drilled into four large dowels then galax leaves were wired with binding wire and inserted into holes.   Water tubes with flowers were added.

Great job Ruth, Grace and Armando!

Design created with bale wire, newspaper and water tubes.

Technique using nails, yarn and water tubes.

Attendees learning lots of new techniques.

 

Christmas ornaments covered with pine shavings and used as a decorative water source.

City College Student So-yeon Kim creating one of Leopoldo's designs by gluing tiny branches into flat cane.

 

Many thanks to Leopoldo, Sponsors, Steven Brown AIFD, Katie McCormick AIFD, AIFD NW and all assistants for making an amazing program come to life.  You and the attendees created the most wonderful learning environment. I wish great things for you in our industry!! 

 

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