Floral Design Principles and Elements Reading

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FLORAL DESIGN PRINCIPLES AND ELEMENTS

What features do buildings, landscapes, and floral arrangements have in common? Why are these fea-tures important?

Whether building a skyscraper, designing a landscape, or creating a floral arrangement, a commonfeature found in each is the concept of design principles and elements. These design principles andelements are important in the design and construction of compositions* that are structurally sound andfunctional, as well as attractive and aesthetically pleasing.

In floral design, knowledge of the principles and elements of design assists floral designers in select-ing materials and visualizing designs. The principles and elements of design also allow floral designersto create attractive and high-quality arrangements that appeal to customers.

Each design principle and element is important and interrelated to the other design principles and ele-ments. Each design principle and element impacts the entire arrangement. If a floral arrangement doesnot appear visually pleasing, then a principle or element of design is missing or has been applied in-correctly.

*Underlined words are defined in the Glossary of Terms.

CREATING BASIC GEOMETRIC FLORAL DESIGNS

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PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

The principles of design are guidelines that govern the organization of the elements and materials inaccordance with the laws of nature. Consider the principles of design as the recipe and the elementsof design as the ingredients. The primary principles of design include balance, proportion, domi-nance, contrast, rhythm, harmony, and unity.

Balance

Balance is the physical and visual stability of a floral arrangement. Physical or mechanical balance re-fers to the physical stability of an arrangement. A physically balanced arrangement is stable and willnot tip over easily.

Visual balance is more challenging for a designer. It involves visual judgement as to whether or not anarrangement looks balanced. Even though a floral arrangement may stand upright and be physicallybalanced, it may look top heavy or lopsided and express a sense of instability. A floral designerachieves visual balance in an arrangement in two ways: symmetrically and asymmetrically.

A symmetrically balanced arrangement has equal amounts of materials on either side of an imaginarycentral vertical axis. One side of the arrangement is a reflection of the other. Both sides of the ar-rangement are identical, or vary slightly. Therefore, the visual weight of materials on each side of thearrangement is equal. The focal point of a symmetrically balanced arrangement is in the center of thearrangement, near the base of the vertical axis.

Symmetrical balance is also referred to as formal balance. Symmetrically balanced arrangements areoften used for formal occasions such as weddings, funerals, and graduations.

In an asymmetrically balanced arrangement, the same amount of visual weight appears on either sideof the arrangement. However, the distance of the weight is not the same from the center of the ar-rangement. The imaginary vertical axis moves to the right or left of the center of the arrangement,balancing the visual weight accordingly.


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Asymmetrically balanced floral arrangements have informal balance. They are functional for casual,natural, and informal occasions. Establishing asymmetrical balance in an arrangement is oftenachieved by creating a high vertical line on one side and a low horizontal line on the other.

Balance of form, line, texture, space, and color must also exist for an arrangement to be visually bal-anced. Larger flowers with bold shapes and darker shades appear heavy. They establish visual balanceby being placed low in an arrangement. Smaller flowers having lighter colors and more delicate tex-tures appear lighter in weight. These flowers establish balance around the edges and perimeter of thearrangement.

Proportion

Proportion is the relationship in size and quantity between the parts within an arrangement. It is therelationship of one part to another, or the relationship of one part to the whole. The relationships be-tween the flowers, foliage, and container affect proportion.

The Greeks mathematical principle of the Golden Mean, along with Japanese tradition, have estab-lished the standard used by florists to achieve a pleasing proportion between plant material and con-tainer. The standard commonly used by florists is to make the height of an arrangement at least 1times the height or width of the container, whichever is greater.


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The size and color of flowers and their position within an arrangement are also important considera-tions for achieving proportion.

As mentioned previously, larger and darker colored flowers have a heavier visual weight than smaller,lighter colored flowers.

To achieve a favorable proportional relationship,use a smaller quantity of larger, darker flowersin an arrangement and place them near the centerof the design.

Use a greater quantity of smaller, lighter coloredflowers and position them around the edges andperimeter of the arrangement.

Scale refers to the relationship of an arrangementwith its surroundings. Larger arrangements aremore in scale in larger, open settings. An altararrangement for a church would probably not bein scale with its surroundings if it was placed onan administrative assistants desk. An arrange-ment for the administrative assistants deskwould need to be smaller to be in scale with theoffice area surrounding the desk.

Dominance / Emphasis

Most floral arrangements usually consist of one type of flower that shows dominance over the others.One or more of these flowers, positioned low in the design, create an area of strong visual appeal.This area of strong visual appeal is the focal area or focal point of the arrangement.

Effective use of dominance or emphasis attracts the viewers attention to the arrangement. Withoutdominance, a lack of unity exists throughout the arrangement.


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In traditional floral arrangements, the focal point occurs just above the rim of the container. The stemsof flowers and foliage making up the arrangement appear to radiate from this area.

The size, color, form, and location of flowers in the focal areadominate the other flowers in the arrangement. Techniques ofdeveloping the focal point in an arrangement include usingdarker shades of a color, flowers with larger blooms, unique

flower forms, and radiating lines. Coarse textures, color ac-cents, and masses of flowers and foliages are also effective increating the focal area of an arrangement.

The focal area draws the viewers eyes to the arrangement.Other principles and elements of design lead the viewers eyesthroughout the arrangement and back to the focal area. Oneelement of the arrangement dominates, yet all the principlesand elements work together to establish unity.

In contrast, a contemporary design often features several focal areas rather than a single focal point. A

parallel design consists of three or four focal areas. Contemporary designs utilize the techniques ofgrouping, basing, or color emphasis to create focal areas or areas of emphasis.

Contrast

Contrast is emphasis by means of difference. Contrast in a floral arrangement adds richness and im-pact through contradiction. On the color wheel, complementary color schemes of red and green, orviolet and yellow, provide contrast, excitement, and interest. Black and white, opposites on the grayscale, create dramatic wedding colors.

Besides color, texture is another way of achieving contrast in an arrangement. Coarse textured foliage

next to fine textured foliage creates an effective contrast.

Rhythm

Rhythm gives a design the feeling or appearance of motion.It carries the eye smoothly through the arrangement. A de-sign with good rhythm keeps the eye actively involved.

Rhythm uses form, line, color, and space to develop thesense of motion that leads the eye to the focal area andthroughout the design. Techniques such as repetition, radia-tion of lines, and transition are effective for developingrhythm in an arrangement.

Repeating line, form, texture, and flower color in an ar-rangement creates rhythm throughout the arrangement. Re-peating these design elements leads the viewers eyes fromone part of the arrangement to another.


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Radiating lines originating from the focal point of an arrangement also create rhythm. Radiation givesthe illusion that all of the flower stems originate from one growth point. Radiation gives a strongsense of unity and naturalness to an arrangement, repeating the natural growth of plants.

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

Spacing rhythm involves providing more space between flowers near the edges of the design and pro-gressively reducing the spacing near the focal area. Using smaller flowers near the edges of the designand progressing to larger flowers in the focal area is an example of size rhythm.

The technique of facing rhythm utilizes form. At the top of the design, flowers face upward. Progress-ing towards the rim of the container, the flowers gradually face forwards with full facing value at thefocal point.

Harmony

Carefully blending textures, shapes, and colors in a floral arrangement creates harmony. The floralmaterials in an arrangement should harmonize with the container, the style of design, and the sur-roundings. To establish harmony, all parts of the arrangement must blend together to create a theme.Dramatic foliages blending with tropical flowers in a bold container results in a harmonious design.

Unity

Unity provides the feeling that the design is a single unit. A unified design is balanced and is in pro-portion. All parts of the design harmonize together to provide a smooth transition from the perimeterof the design to the focal area. Rhythm is evident in repetition and the development of radiating lines.Unity in an arrangement occurs when all the principles and elements blend together.


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ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

Line, form, texture, color, and space are the traditional elements of design. Two additional contempo-rary design elements are pattern and size. Elements of design are the physical characteristics of mate-rials used in designs. A professional floral designer successfully combines the properties of each ele-ment with the principles of design. This combination is the foundation of design!

Line

Line allows the eye to travel from one part of a design to another. It formsthe structural framework and provides a visual path to give motion to anarrangement. Line gives an arrangement structure, shape, movement, andexcitement. It also adds the dimensions of height, width, and depth.

In Western Style design, lines radiate from a central point in an arrange-ment. The directions of line may be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, andcurved.

The direction of a line in a design expresses moods and feelings. Vertical lines imply strength. Hori-zontal lines suggest a relaxed feeling. Curved lines add gentleness and softness.

To establish lines in an arrangement, a floral designer uses linear materials such as line flowers. Stemsand branches are also effective in establishing the element of line. Placement of materials in a se-quence to create a sense of direction is also a method for creating lines.

Form

Form is the overall three-dimensional externalshape of a design. Three basic forms of floral

arrangements usually expressed in two-dimensional terms include the circle, square,and triangle. Symmetry or asymmetry usedwithin the same form allows for variety. Ex-amples include arrangements in the form ofsymmetrical or asymmetrical triangles.

Texture

Texture is the visual and tactile surface qualities of an object. An effective design guideline for textureis to use either a complete blend or a definite contrast. The texture of the container should also har-monize with the flowers and foliages and complement the theme of the arrangement.

Nature offers suggestions for contrasting and blending textures. The soft, mossy floor of a forest con-trasts with the coarse bark of the trees. The blending of the smooth ocean waves on the soft, sandybeach provides harmony.

Floral designers use the element of texture to make an arrangement appear formal or casual. Texturein combination with color affects the visual weight of an arrangement. Texture also conveys a feelingof masculinity or femininity. Repeating or contrasting textures adds interest and beauty to a design.However, too many textures weaken a design.


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Color

Color has a major role in floral arrangements and greatly impacts a customers response. The properuse of color is essential in creating a well-designed floral arrangement. Colors of flowers carefullyblended and positioned in an arrangement reflect the mood of the design relative to its surroundingsand the message it transmits.

Space

Space includes the area in, around, and between the materials makingup a design. The use of space prevents crowding of materials andallows for each flower to be seen. Space provides an opportunity forthe viewers eyes to rest. It gives importance to line and form.

Positive space refers to the area of an arrangement occupied by flow-ers and foliages. Negative space refers to the empty areas betweenfloral materials. By developing the ability to use negative space, afloral designer is able to draw attention to the particular forms orlines in the design, enhancing their importance.

Pattern

Pattern is another element of design. It is closely related to form. Pattern is the silhouette or outlineof an arrangement or flower as observed against its background. Pattern includes both positive andnegative space within the arrangement. Five standard patterns are common to floral design. The fol-lowing illustration shows examples of these patterns.

Pattern also refers to a repeated physical characteristic of a plant material. The arrangement of leavescreates structural patterns. Fern fronds have repeated patterns. Some foliages also exhibit color pat-terns.

Size

Size, along with pattern, is also a newer, contemporary design element. Size refers to the dimensionsof line, form, or space.


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THE INTERRELATIONSHIP OF PRINCIPLES AND ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

Design principles and elements occur in many forms of nature. Floral designers used these naturalprinciples and elements to create pleasing floral arrangements. The foundation of floral design is basedupon the framework of design principles and elements.

A floral arrangement that is balanced, well proportioned, and unified by a harmonious combination of

floral materials is visually appealing. Dominance and rhythm give the design motion. Forms and linesdefine the outline of the design. Texture and color provide character and create theme.

Neither principles nor elements stand alone. They work together for unity and harmony. Each is im-portant and interrelated to the others and impacts the entire arrangement. The combination of designprinciples and elements results in beautifully created designs that appeal to the interests of customers.

Acknowledgements

Jane Gloyd, TMF, AAF, Horticulture Professor, Richland College,

Dallas, Texas, developed and organized the material for this topic.

Keith W. Zamzow, Curriculum Specialist, Instructional Materials Service,

Texas A&M University, edited this topic.

Vickie Marriott, Office Software Associate, Instructional Materials Service,

Texas A&M University, edited and prepared the layout and design for this topic.

Christine Stetter, Artist, Instructional Materials Service,

Texas A&M University, prepared the illustrations for this topic.

REFERENCES

The references listed below were used in the development of this topic and can be researched for addi-

tional information. References indicated with (1) were consulted and permission for use was given.

Benz, M., and James L. Johnson. Flowers: Geometric Form. College Station, Texas: San JacintoPublishing Co., 1986.1

Book of Floral Terminology. Baltimore, Maryland: The American Institute of Floral Designers,1999.1

Flowers by Design. Lansing, Michigan: The John Henry Company, 1998.1

Hunter, Norah T. The Art of Floral Design. Albany, New York: Delmar Publishers, Inc., 2000.

Teleflora Encycloflora: Advanced Floral Design. Los Angeles, California: Teleflora, 1994. 1

Teleflora Encycloflora: Basic Floral Design. Los Angeles, California: Teleflora, 1994. 1


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GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Definitions for terms in this glossary are taken from Book of Floral Terminology, developed by theEducation Committee of the American Institute of Floral Designers.

Balance A state of physical or visual equilibrium or stability.

Color Wheel A diagrammatic guide to color systems in which all hues appear in their properspectral order.

Composition The organization of different materials according to the principles and elements ofdesign to achieve a unified design.

Contemporary design A design that represents the current style or trend.

Contrast Emphasis by means of difference. (Contrast in a design adds richness and impactthrough contradiction.)

Dominance The visual organization within a design that emphasizes one or more aspects. (Whenone element is emphasized, others are subordinated.)

Elements of design The components or ingredients of design.

Emphasis An area in a composition given special attention due to importance, stress, weight, etc.

Focal point Focal area or center of interest that has the greatest visual impact or weight to whichthe eye is drawn most naturally.

Form The overall three-dimensional configuration or shape of a design or composition.

Harmony The aesthetic quality created through the pleasing interaction of a combination of com-ponents in a composition when compatibility or a satisfying agreement of parts occurs.

Line The visual path that directs eye movement through a composition. (The lines may be

straight, curved, or a combination, and may also be actual or implied.)

Parallel design A design style in which the individual stems or groups of stems exist in the samedirection and are the same distance apart from end to end.

Pattern A repeated combination of line, form, color, texture, and space as a single component.(The silhouette or outline of an arrangement as observed against its background.)

Principles of design Fundamental guidelines to aesthetic design that govern the organization of theelements and materials in accordance with the laws of nature.

Proportion The relationship of one part to another part or the relation of one part to the whole.

Rhythm Visual movement through a design, usually achieved by means of repetition or gradation.Scale The relative ratio of size, or the relationship of a composition to its surrounding area or en-

vironment.

Space The area in, around, and between the parts of a design as defined by the three-dimensionaltotality of the composition.

Tactile Referring to the sense of touch.


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Transition The easy visual movement that comes from gradual degrees of change in line, form,color, texture, space, pattern, and size.

Unity Oneness of purpose, thought, style, and spirit. (The organization of components into a har-monious whole that results in a cohesive relationship of all parts.)

BRAIN PROBES

SHORT ANSWER/LISTING: Answer the following questions or statements in the space provided oron additional paper.

1. What is the general guideline of proportion that floral designers use for establishing arrange-ment height?_____________________________________________________________________________

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2. What factor determines the maximum height of an arrangement?_____________________________________________________________________________

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3. List two types of visual balance._____________________________________________________________________________

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4. How is space used in a design?_____________________________________________________________________________

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5. List the principles of design._____________________________________________________________________________

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6. List the elements of design._____________________________________________________________________________

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7. Sketch a floral design and label the focal area.

8. Describe the difference between proportion and scale._____________________________________________________________________________

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CONCEPTS TO CREATIVITY

Collect a flower such as a carnation, one red, one pink, and one deep maroon. Which flower colorhas the greatest visual weight? Where would you use this one in an arrangement? Where wouldyou use the others?

Visit a furniture store and look at the groupings of furniture. Note symmetrical and also asymmet-rical placements of pictures and accessories in the display areas. How are floral arrangements usedin the displays? What styles of arrangements are used in the displays?

Gather coarse, fine, and medium textured foliages from your home landscape. Bring them to classand create an all foliage arrangement. Look for patterns within the leaves.

Select several professional floral magazines. On photocopies of arrangements shown in the maga-zine, identify principles and elements of design. Determine the type of visual balance. Search theInternet for arrangements promoted by wire services such as Teleflora, AFS, and FTD.

Bring a novelty type of floral container to class. Suggest flowers and foliages that would harmo-nize and also complement the theme of the container.

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Reproduction prohibited without written permission.Instructional Materials Service

Texas A&M University2588 TAMUS

College Station, Texas 77843-2588http://www-ims.tamu.edu

2002

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Floral Design Principles and Elements Reading