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Floral Design Principles & Elements

Instructional Materials ServiceTexas A&M University

8946A

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Introduction

The principles and elements of design assist floral designers in selecting materials and visualizing compositions.

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Introduction

Design principles and elements are important in the design and construction of compositions that are:Structurally soundFunctionalAesthetically pleasing

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Principles of Design

The principles of design are guidelines that govern the organization of the elements and materials in accordance with the laws of nature.

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Principles of Design

The primary principles of design include:BalanceProportionDominanceContrastRhythmHarmonyUnity

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Balance

Balance is the physical and visual stability of a floral arrangement. Physical or mechanical balance refers to

the physical stability of the arrangement.Visual balance refers to the visual

appearance of the arrangement.

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Balance

Two types of visual balance are:Symmetrical balanceAsymmetrical balance

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Symmetrical Balance

For a symmetrically balanced floral arrangement:An equal amount of

materials exists on either side of an imaginary central vertical axis through the center of the arrangement.

Central vertical axis

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Symmetrical Balance

One side of the arrangement is a near mirror image of the other side.

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Symmetrical Balance

The focal point exists at the center of the arrangement, near the base of the vertical axis.

Focal point

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Symmetrical Balance

This visual balance is referred to as formal balance and has a formal appearance.

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Asymmetrical Balance

For an asymmetrically balanced floral arrangement:The visual weight

on either side of the arrangement is not the same.

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Asymmetrical Balance

The imaginary vertical axis is to the left or right of the center of the arrangement, balancing the visual weight accordingly.

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Asymmetrical Balance

Visual balance is achieved by creating a high vertical line on one side of the arrangement and a low horizontal line on the other side.

Vertical line

Horizontal line

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Asymmetrical Balance

The focal point exists at the bottom of the arrangement, near the base of the vertical axis, which is off-centered.

Focal point

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Asymmetrical Balance

This visual balance is referred to as informal balance and has a more informal and natural appearance.

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Establishing Visual Balance

To establish visual balance in an arrangement, position larger flowers with bold, distinctive shapes and darker colors lower in the arrangement.

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Establishing Visual Balance

Place darker, heavier colors nearer to the center of the arrangement.

Dark

LightDark Light

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Establishing Visual Balance

Smaller flowers with lighter colors and more delicate textures appear lighter in weight. Therefore, place these flowers toward the edges and perimeter of the arrangement.

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Proportion & Scale

Proportion is the relationship in size and quantity among the parts within an arrangement. Relationships among flowers, foliage, and the container affect the proportion of an arrangement.

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Proportional Standard

The standard commonly used by florists to achieve a pleasing proportion between the plant material and the container is to make the height of an arrangement at least 1 ½ times the height or width of the container, whichever is the greater dimension.

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Proportioning Stem Lengths

Proportioning stem length to low container

Proportioning stem length to tall container

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Visual Weight

The size and color of flowers and their positions within an arrangement are also important for achieving proportion. Larger and darker colored flowers have more visual weight than smaller, lighter colored flowers.

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Scale

Scale refers to the relationship of an arrangement with its surroundings. Larger arrangements are more in scale in larger, open settings.

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Dominance / Emphasis

Most floral arrangements consist of one type of form flower that has more visual interest or dominance over the other flower types. This area of strong visual appeal is the focal point of the arrangement, attracting the viewer’s eyes to the arrangement.

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Dominance / Emphasis

In traditional geometric floral arrangements, the location of the focal point is located just above the rim of the container. The stems of flowers and foliage making up the arrangement appear to radiate from this area.

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Focal Point

Dominance / Emphasis

The size, color, form, and location of flowers in the focal area dominate the other flowers in the arrangement.

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Contrast

Contrast is emphasis by means of difference.

Contrast adds richness and impact through opposition. Color and texture are two means of achieving contrast in an arrangement.

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Rhythm

Rhythm gives a design the feeling or appearance of motion, leading the eye to the focal point and throughout the arrangement. Rhythm uses the elements of form, line, color, and space to develop the sense of motion.

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Rhythm

Techniques such as repetition, radiation of lines, and transition are also effective for developing rhythm in an arrangement.

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Radiation

Radiation provides the illusion that all the flower stems originate from one growth point.

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Transition

Transition involves the gradual change or progression of plant materials from the perimeter of an arrangement to the focal area. Visual movement from the perimeter of the arrangement to the focal area occurs due to gradual changes in flower spacing, size, and facing.

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Harmony

Harmony is created through the blending of textures, shapes, and colors in a floral arrangement. The floral materials in an arrangement should harmonize with the container, the style of design, and the surroundings.

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Unity

Unity provides a feeling that a design is a single unit.

Unity in an arrangement occurs when all the principles and elements blend together.

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Elements of Design

The physical characteristics of materials used in designs make up the elements of design. Line, form, texture, color, and space are the traditional elements of design. Two additional contemporary design elements are pattern and size.

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Elements of Design

Combining the properties of the design elements with the principles of design is the foundation of successful design.

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Line

Line is the design element that forms the structural framework of a floral composition. It establishes a visual path and creates motion throughout the arrangement by encouraging the viewers’ eyes to travel from one part of the arrangement to another.

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Line

The element of line establishes the structure, shape, movement, and excitement in the arrangement and creates the dimensions of height, width, and depth.

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Line

In Western style geometric designs, lines radiate from a central point in an arrangement. Line directions may be:Horizontal / Diagonal – relaxedVertical – strengthCurved – gentle and softness

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Line

The use of linear materials in an arrangement is effective in establishing line within the arrangement.

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Line Flowers

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Line Foliage

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Form

Form is the overall three-dimensional external shape of a design. Three basic forms of geometric floral arrangements expressed in two-dimensional terms include the circle, square, and triangle.

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Texture

Texture refers to the relative comparisons among the visual and tactile surface qualities of an object. An effective design guideline for texture is to use either a complete blend or a definite contrast. Repeating or contrasting textures adds interest and beauty to a design.

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Color

Colors of flowers carefully blended and positioned in an arrangement reflect the mood of the design.

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Space

Space includes the area in, around, and between the materials making up a design. Use of this design element prevents crowding of materials and allows for each flower to be seen. Space provides an opportunity for the viewers’ eyes to rest, thus giving importance to line and form.

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Space

Two types of space exist within a floral arrangement.Positive space is

the space occupied by the flowers and foliage.

Negative space refers to the empty areas that exist between the floral materials.

Negative space

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Space

The use of negative space allows the designer to enhance and draw attention to particular forms or lines within a design.

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Pattern

Pattern is closely related to form and refers to the silhouette or outline of an arrangement or flower as observed against its background. It includes both positive space and negative space within the arrangement. Pattern also refers to a repeated physical characteristic of a plant material.

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Pattern

Five standard patterns common to floral design include:RoundOvalSymmetrical triangleAsymmetrical triangleRectangular

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Pattern

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Size

Size is a contemporary design element. It refers to the dimensions of line, form, and space.

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Foundation of Floral Design

The foundation of floral design is based on the natural occurrence of design principles and elements that exist together in unity and harmony. Each is important and interrelated to impact the entire appearance and visual expression of an arrangement.

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Acknowledgements

Jane Gloyd, TMF, AAF, Horticultural Professor (retired), Richland College, Dallas, Texas organized and developed the information used in this PowerPoint presentation.

Christine Stetter, Artist, Instructional Materials Service, developed and illustrated this PowerPoint presentation.

Keith Zamzow, Curriculum Specialist, Instructional Materials Service, edited and reviewed this PowerPoint presentation.

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All Rights Reserved

Reproduction or redistribution of all, or part, of this presentation without written

permission is prohibited.

Instructional Materials ServiceTexas A&M University

2588 TAMUSCollege Station, Texas 77843-2588

http://www-ims.tamu.edu

2007