Principles and Elements of Floral Design

Elements & Principles Elements & Principles of Floral Designof Floral Design

Elements Elements of Floral Designof Floral Design

The directly observable components, The directly observable components, ingredients, and physical ingredients, and physical

characteristics of a design.characteristics of a design.

Elements of Floral DesignElements of Floral DesignLineLineFormFormSpaceSpaceTextureTexture

PatternPatternFragranceFragranceSizeSizeColorColor

LineLine

The visual pathway that directs eye movement through a composition

•Distance between two points

Line directions:Line directions:

Vertical lines—stress height and suggest power and strength

Horizontal lines—stress width and are peaceful and calm, provide a sense of stability

Diagonal line—dynamically energetic, causing more eye movement. Use sparingly

Curved line—suggest motion, but are softer, more comforting. Eye moves quickly through design.

Vertical line--Vertical line--Power and strength

Horizontal lineHorizontal linePeaceful and calm

Diagonal lineDiagonal lineDynamically energetic, suggest motion

Curved lineCurved lineSofter suggestion of motion

FormForm

the shape or configuration of an individual component of the composition. The overall, three-dimensional, geometric shape or configuration of a floral composition.

SpaceSpace

the area in, around, and between the components of the design, defined by the three-dimensional area occupied by the composition.Positive spacePositive spaceNegative space Negative space

TextureTexture

The surface quality of a material, as The surface quality of a material, as perceived by sight or touchperceived by sight or touchSmooth, coarse, waxy, rough, delicate, velvetySmooth, coarse, waxy, rough, delicate, velvety

Texture

Texture

Texture

PatternPattern

A repeated combination of line, form, A repeated combination of line, form, color, texture, and/or space.color, texture, and/or space.Variegated markings, specklesVariegated markings, specklesAny element used more than onceAny element used more than once

Pattern

Pattern—what is repeated

FragranceFragrance

A sweet or pleasing odor, perceived by A sweet or pleasing odor, perceived by the sense of smell.the sense of smell.heightens our awareness heightens our awareness increases sensory enjoymentincreases sensory enjoymenttriggers memorytriggers memory

Using all 5 senses

SizeSize

The physical dimensions of line, form, or The physical dimensions of line, form, or spacespaceFirst considerationsFirst considerationsEmotional aspectEmotional aspect

ColorColor

The visual response of the eye to The visual response of the eye to reflected rays of lightreflected rays of lightmost important design elementmost important design elementOptical sensation, originating in the brain’s Optical sensation, originating in the brain’s

perception of light energy reflected to the eye perception of light energy reflected to the eye from a pigmented surface.from a pigmented surface.

Emotional responseEmotional response

Color

Principles of Floral Principles of Floral DesignDesign

Principles of design-fundamental guidelines to aesthetic design that govern the organization of the

elements and materials in accordance with the laws of nature. Some primary principals of design are

associated with related secondary principles of design.

Principles Principles of Floral Designof Floral Design BalanceBalance ProportionProportion

ScaleScale DominanceDominance

EmphasisEmphasis Focal AreaFocal Area AccentAccent

RhythmRhythm DepthDepth RepetitionRepetition TransitionTransition

ContrastContrast OppositionOpposition TensionTension VariationVariation

HarmonyHarmony UnityUnity

BalanceBalance

gives a sense of equilibrium and repose, gives a sense of equilibrium and repose, a feeling of three-dimensional stability.

..Physical also known as mechanical

balance—soundVisual balance—sense of equilibrium

Easily falls overOr looks like it will easily tip over

Visually balanced

BalanceBalance

symmetrical balance—known as formal balance, flowers are repeated on opposite sides of the floral arrangement. Using an imaginary central axis, one side of the arrangement is the mirror image of the other.

Asymmetrical balance—known as informal balance. Formed by placing unequal visual weight on each side of a central vertical axis.

Balance

Radial balance—radiate from a central point like the spokes of a wheel or the rays of the sun.

Symmetrical-one side mirrors the otherAsymmetrical-two sides are dissimilar but have equal visual weight or equal eye

attraction which creates visual balance

Symmetrical vs. Asymmetrical

Radial BalanceRadial Balance

Radial balance--Not separate from symmetrical or asymmetrical, but merely a fine distinction of one or the other

Radial Balance

Symmetrical but too perfect—rendering a contrived and fake appearance

Near symmetricalNot symmetrical in placement but arranged in a near-symmetrical pattern to

form a balanced, formal shape

ProportionProportionThe comparative relationship in size, The comparative relationship in size,

quantity, and degree of emphasis among quantity, and degree of emphasis among components within the composition; the components within the composition; the relationship of one portion to another, or of relationship of one portion to another, or of one portion to the whole.one portion to the whole.design should be 1 ½ to 2 times the height or design should be 1 ½ to 2 times the height or

width of the containerwidth of the container

Greek golden section in which the ration of vase to flowers is 3 to 5 or roughly 5 to 8

Golden mean refers to the division of a line somewhere between ½ and 1/3 its length

Flower design slightly off center

Overall size of a floral arrangement or its parts compared with other objects or their parts.

Scale floral elements with each other

ScaleScale

The relative ratio of size, or the The relative ratio of size, or the relationship of the size of a composition to relationship of the size of a composition to the surrounding area or environment.the surrounding area or environment.

Arrangements should fit on the table physically and visually and be in proportion to the surrounding area

Small table small room small arrangement

Large to permit viewing from a distance

DominanceDominance

The visual organization within a design The visual organization within a design that emphasizes one or more aspects. that emphasizes one or more aspects. When one element is emphasized, others When one element is emphasized, others are subordinate.are subordinate.

EmphasisEmphasis

The special attention or importance given The special attention or importance given to one or more areas within a design.to one or more areas within a design.DirectsDirects eye to more important areas eye to more important areas

Focal AreaFocal Area

The area of greatest visual impact or The area of greatest visual impact or weightweight; the center of interest to which the eye is most naturally drawn.Center of gravity or balanceCenter of gravity or balanceWhere eye is drawnWhere eye is drawnWhere the eye restsWhere the eye restsOne element different than othersOne element different than others

Focal Point

Focal Point

Focal Point

AccentAccent

Detail added to a design to provide Detail added to a design to provide additional interest, affecting the total additional interest, affecting the total character of the composition.character of the composition.EnlivensEnlivensDash of somethingDash of something

AccessoriesAccessories

Accent

Accent

RhythmRhythm

Flow or movement characterized by Flow or movement characterized by regular recurrence of elements or featuresregular recurrence of elements or features

Use repeated patterns and graceful spacing.

The goal is to create a visual pathway that leads the viewer’s eye around and through the design, then back to the focal point.

DepthDepth

TThree-dimensional arrangementhree-dimensional arrangementoverlap or angle flowersoverlap or angle flowersplace bright, dark flowers on the bottom of the place bright, dark flowers on the bottom of the

arrangement, lighter and smaller at the toparrangement, lighter and smaller at the top

RepetitionRepetition

The recurrence of like elements within a The recurrence of like elements within a compositioncomposition

Repetition

TransitionTransition

The ease of visual movement which The ease of visual movement which results from gradual degrees of change results from gradual degrees of change among one or more of the elementsamong one or more of the elements

ContrastContrast

Emphasis by means of differenceEmphasis by means of difference.

Contrast--color

OppositionOpposition

Contrast between elements which are Contrast between elements which are counterpoint in relation to each other.counterpoint in relation to each other.Call attention to each other by being opposite Call attention to each other by being opposite

whereas contrast is simply different from each whereas contrast is simply different from each otherother

Opposition—black & white

Contrast in color simplest way to create strong focal point

TensionTension

Implying or suggesting a sense of energyImplying or suggesting a sense of energyPolarity—drawn together or pushed apartPolarity—drawn together or pushed apartKnot a leaf-energy has been exerted or appliedKnot a leaf-energy has been exerted or appliedNew bulb forcing out of soilNew bulb forcing out of soilReady to spring or snapReady to spring or snap

Tension—something is waiting to happen

VariationVariation

Dissimilarity among attributes or Dissimilarity among attributes or characteristics.characteristics.Diversity among elementsDiversity among elementsVary stages of developmentVary stages of developmentAll one color of flower, but different flowersAll one color of flower, but different flowers

Proximity-combining flowers into one designRepetition-repeating similar elements such as color

Transition-providing a gradual change from one part of a design to another

HarmonyHarmony

Compatibility; a pleasing or congruent Compatibility; a pleasing or congruent arrangement of parts.arrangement of parts.

All parts should go together or All parts should go together or “harmonize” with each other. “harmonize” with each other.

Lack a sense of harmony

Harmony by added accessories which support football or homecoming theme

All component parts of a floral composition should harmonize with one another. It is vital that the flowers in a design are compatible with one another in order to

support an overall design style.

Terra-cotta post and blush tones flowers create a casual garden ambiance for this celebration setting. Harmony of the parts displays unity in design

UnityUnity

--the state of being one, united, or complete --the state of being one, united, or complete in itself. in itself.

The arrangement is seen as a whole The arrangement is seen as a whole piece instead of only individual parts.piece instead of only individual parts.

Oneness of purpose, thought, style, and Oneness of purpose, thought, style, and spirit.spirit.

Accessories Candles

Plums, kiwi enhance an overall harmonious theme

Examples of Line and Sticks Design Assignment