European design or Ikebana arrangement ?

Which floral art do you like better, European design or Japanese arrangement ?  From person to person, not only the taste but also the purpose of learning flower arrangement is different. We would like to make comparison between European arrangement and Japanese Ikebana from a few different view points as follows:

A. Culture wise:
Those who are interested in European culture usually prefers European arrangement which is quite natural. On the other hand people who like Japanese traditional culture are apt to prefer Japanese Ikebana arrangement. Most of people who are learning Ikebana are interested in Japanese traditional culture which affected and directed them to choose Ikebana arts when learning floral arrangements.

B. Business wise:
Those who are planning to do floral business such as running a floral shop or working for a florist as a floral designer or offering flower decorating services of weddings and funerals in the States have no choice but to learn European (or American) floral arrangements because most designs and skills for Ikebana arrangements cannot be used when running a floral shop or offering wedding/funeral flower arrangements. Therefore if you would like to earn floral arranging skills mainly for doing floral business in America, you are highly recommended to learn European arrangements rather than Japanese Ikebana.

C. Hobby wise:
If you want to earn flower arranging skills strictly for enjoying floral designs as a hobby, it does not matter which designs you choose, European arrangement or Japanese Ikebana. Either will do. Some people enjoy making both style of arrangements. One of merits and advantages for learning both European and Japanese way of arrangements is that they can enhance the portfolio of their designs and people having both skills can easily make their own style of designs by way of blending European and Japanese style of decorations.

Quite frankly speaking we can find lots of differences including advantages and disadvantages in each style of arrangements. However as mentioned in the above, from person to person the taste, preference of culture and also the purpose of learning floral arrangements are quite different. The bottom line is it is fully up to you which way you learn. It's your decision. We fully leave it to you which way you go.

For your information, we would like to introduce, for beginners, entry level programs/courses offered by California Flower Art Academy that teaches both style of floral art:

A. European style:
Introductory Trial Budget Program
Fresh Flower Arrangement Elementary Course

B. Japanese Traditional Ikebana:
Ikebana Short Seminar Program
Ikebana Arrangement Elementary Course

For more information, feel free to contact info@california-academy.com