Foraged & Found

2025 Online Design Competition

Are you interested in challenging your technical & creative design skills? If so, our ‘Foraged & Found in Nature’ online design competition is a wonderful opportunity to express yourself!

Top 12 Gallery 2023 Fall Contest

(Tap photo to link to designer’s Instagram page)

‘Foraged & Found’ and created by YOU!

This competition is OPEN TO ALL! You are not required to be a member of AIFD to participate - we welcome new and seasoned professionals, students, hobbyists & all floral enthusiasts! We would love to see what inspires YOUR floral creativity. For the winners of our competition, we have incredible opportunites, generously gifted by the AIFD Symposium Committee and the Floral Design Institute, as well as opportunities for some fantastic exposure.

*Please read ALL the contest rules and guidelines BEFORE tapping the button at the bottom to ENTER*

AIFD is a nonprofit organization. With the funds raised through events such as this, we are able to create and assist with more educational events and opportunities for those interested in the profession of floral design. Education and continuing education are vital for the advancement of the Floral Industry.

Guidelines for ‘Foraged & Found’ in Nature

Theme:

“Foraged & Found in NATURE”

A composition suitable as a tabletop, wall hanging or suspended arrangement. Your design should be a floral composition that expresses the theme of “Nature’s Resilience”.

Materials:

We ask that at least 50% of the chosen materials be fresh, dried or live plant products. Please refrain from using any faux or chemically treated botanicals. Contestants are responsible for procuring their own materials. Design dimensions should not exceed 3’ Wide x 3’ Tall x 3’ deep

Entry Fee:

One entry per person with a $35 (USD) submission cost. All monies collected are for fundraising purposes that benefit scholarships and educational events organized by the Northwest AIFD Chapter. Payments and submissions are to be submitted via our webpage: www.nwaifdfloristry.com.

Photos, form and entry fees will be accepted up until 11:59pm(PST), Wednesday, April 9th, 2025.

No exceptions will be made after the submission deadline. The contest opens 6 weeks prior on Wednesday, February 26th, 2025.

TO ENTER: tap the “Enter Your Submission” button below. This will take you to the entry fee submission page where you will UPLOAD PHOTOS of your design & provide your personal info. This page will be disabled once the deadline to submit arrives.

*ALL WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025

{Earth Day}

Design Specifics:

Create a design using at least one nature-made object found or foraged. All flowers, foliage & other botanical materials (fresh and/or dried) are considered separate from your chosen object. Any and/or all flowers and foliage can be foraged, found, grown, or purchased. Please ensure at least 50% of the design includes natural botanicals.

*PLEASE ONLY USE ITEMS THAT YOU HAVE FOUND OR FORAGED RESPONSIBLY WITH PERMISSION TO DO SO. DO NOT GATHER, FORAGE, STEAL, OR CUT WITHOUT A PROPERTY OWNER’S CONSENT.

We encourage the use of natural, sustainable materials as much as possible, as well as eco-conscious mechanics.

Submissions:

We are asking you to submit (3 to 5) photographs of your design. Tips for photo submissions:

Be sure it is adequately lit (natural light is best)
The design should be the main focus in whichever setting is complimentary
Photos to include should be an overall FRONT view, overall BACK view and up to 3 other detail shots (that may include attention to mechanics used and or artistic craftsmanship)
Please rename your photo files following the example below, before uploading (ie: SallySmith1, SallySmith2, SallySmith3…etc.)
***DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR NAME ON THE ACTUAL PHOTOS AS IT IS BLIND JUDGING…

Judging:

Entries will be blindly judged by three qualified floral design professionals. The TOP 10 scoring designs will be announced Wednesday, April 16th.

Opportunites Awarded:

There will be ONE top award, a runner-up, as well as a “People’s Pick” via an online platform link.

Awarded Gifted Opportunities:

(*and please make note of the clauses below)

Top scoring designs: Each valued at $950 usd

One General Registration to the AIFD National Symposium “Reflection” in Palm Springs! July 12-15, 2025. *Travel & accommodation are the recipient’s responsibility.

One online wedding flower workshop with the FLORAL DESIGN INSTITUTE. (recipient will be presented with 3 options)

People’s Pick: Valued at $250 usd

One online class with the Floral Design Institute (recipient will be presented with 2 options)

The Top 10 scoring entries will be eligible to win the ‘People’s Pick’ award. Images of our Top 10 will be featured on our NW AIFD Facebook and Instagram feeds. The public will be able to vote via an online voting platform.

***Clause #1: Though encouraged to participate in this fun fundraiser, current National & Regional Board Members will not be eligible to accept the Symposium Registration opportunity, due to rules set forth in the Northwest Chapter’s acceptance to utilize this scholarship. In the case of the top-scoring designer being a member of any AIFD Regional or National board, the 2nd option of an online learning workshop, generously donated by the Floral Design Institute will be offered. *IMPORTANT NOTE: THE SAME CLAUSE APPLIES TO ANY WHO HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED, as stated in the scholarship stipulations.

***Clause #2: Should the winner be unable to attend the symposium July 12-15, 2025, the second highest scoring design will be offered this opportunity & the FDI online workshop will be awarded as the alternative. This must be decided within 3 days of being notified.

IMPORTANT *** Please do not share your entered designs publicly until after the TOP 10 are announced (Wednesday, April 16th) or you may face disqualification, as all designs are to be blind-judged.

Judges & moderators are not eligible to enter ‘Foraged & Found’ in Nature. All others of all levels are highly encouraged!

All entrants agree that submitted designs may be used by the NW AIFD Regional Chapter in our social feeds and our website.

Whatever you create should tell a unique story.

Judging Criteria

A score of 1-10 Points may be given in each of the 8 category criteria listed below by each of the 3 judges. The highest combined scores of the 3 judges will become the Top 10 contestants. Opportunities will be awarded for the top scoring design and ‘People’s Pick’ will be voted on from the top 10 placements.
(Tap the + to the right of each category for further description of criteria)
The design should be an expression that tells an appreciation of Nature for this competition. It should showcase the foraged and/or found item and be suitable as a tabletop arrangement, a wall hanging or a suspended design
Professional application of mechanics - devices and techniques that help to secure materials and create stability in a design, normally concealed, but may be deliberately exposed for artistic effect. The use of sustainable mechanics will be given special attention.
Area(s) of greatest visual impact to which draws the eye most naturally.
Balance should be physically and visually stabilized by placement of flowers, foliage, and other materials. Proportion relates to the comparative size of various components in relationship to other elements within the design.
The creative use of line within the form should create tension and interest within the arrangement. Rhythm is necessary for the visual flow of all components in relationship to each other. Form refers to the overall shape of the arrangement created.
Harmony in floral design refers to the aesthetic quality created by the placement of materials. Unity is the cohesive relationship of the materials and elements to each other.
The creative uses of color and texture in relationship to the overall appeal created by the arrangement. Texture should create tactile and visual interest within the design.
The overall impression of sense of beauty, creativity, and the originality inspired by the completed arrangement.

So, now that you have all the specific details, we hope you will join in on the FUN. The most important factor for your creativity to work for you is to find joy in the process! Now, if you are ready to take the plunge, click the button below. You will be able to fill out your entry form, upload your photos, and pay your entry fee all in one place at the same time safely and securely. Just be sure to get it all submitted by Wednesday, April 9th before midnight!

Enter your submission.