Virtual Mentoring

Hitomi's passion is 'Sharing Everything She Knows About Flowers' through presenting and teaching. Her career began as Farmer/Florist in 1978 when she was a greenhouse grower/landscape designer/turned retail florist. Her teaching career began after winning Great American Design Competition in 1987 and solidified after authoring 2 books: 'Fundamental Theories of Design' & 'Design Compendium' in 1997 & 1999. She has travelled extensively over the past 30+ years throughout North America and around the world lecturing and hosting design workshops at Art Museums, Botanical Gardens, Garden Clubs, and for industry sponsors. She founded DESIGN358, an Education-based event company with her son, Colin Gilliam, in 2008. Their focus now is in virtual programming of floral education. She is very active on her YouTube channel and she most recently launched her Patreon Page with additional virtual experiences. She has authored 8 books in total, including 'Fresh Look at Judging Floral Design' a thorough updated examination of the 'Elements & Principles' for all serious students of Design.

She is the 5th recipient of AIFD's coveted Design Influence Award (1998).

Hitomi also received the American Horticultural Society's 'Frances Jones Poeltker Award' (2006) and won Gold Honors & Best of Show at Singapore Garden Festival 'Windows to the World' International Floral Competition in 2008 representing Canada. She is a 10 time Center Stage Presenter at AIFD National Symposium and was the Featured Artist at 'Les Fleurs Sauvages' Art Exhibit at Sotheby's Institute of Art in NYC (2018)

Hitomi was honored to serve as one of 3 judges for 2020 Tournament of Roses Parade Floats in Pasadena, CA.