Principle of Design Floriculture

Definition Arranging flowers so that they become a work of art using certain guidelines is called principles of design.

Design Principles Balance Proportion and Scale Focal Point Emphasis Rhythm Harmony Unity

Balance Refers to the stability of an arrangement Visual and actual Visual- the way the arrangement appears to the eye. Visual is how heavy it appears Dark colors appear heavier than lighter colors

Balance cont. Heavy, darker colored flowers are generally placed at the base of an arrangement Lighter, smooth colors are usually placed near the edge. Actual balance- the arrangement is actually balanced so there is equal weight on both sides. Without this, the arrangement may topple.

Balance Cont. Symmetrical- equal visual weight on each side of the imaginary, central, vertical line. Asymmetrical- have equal weight on both sides of a central axis. - But each side is different in plant material and general arrangement

Proportion and Scale The size of the intended location of the flowers and the colors of the room will determine the - Size of the arrangement - Shape of the arrangement - Container used in the arrangement

Proportion and Scale cont. Proportion- interrelationship of all parts of the arrangement -Flowers -Foliage -Accessories -Container Scale-refers to the relationship between an arrangement and the area it is to be displayed.

Proportion General principles -Plant materials should be 1-1/2 times as high as the height of a tall container Or - 1-1/2 the width of a low container

Focal Point This is the area that attracts or holds interest of the viewer. Dominates the design Generally near the base of the design There should be only a single focal point in any one design

Focal Point cont. Key elements - Place largest flower at focal point - Concentrate plant material in that area - Darkest/brightest colored flower in that area - Strongly contrasting colors at this point - Unusually shaped flower

Emphasis Closely related to focal point Attention on one area Establishes order within the arrangement Ways of creating emphasis including - Focal Point - Texture - Color and kind of flower - Arrangement style

Rhythm Movement of the design toward or away from the center of interest. Flow of lines, textures, and colors that evoke movement Rhythm can be created by - Repetition - Radiation - Progression - Transition

Rhythm cont. Repetition- simplest, accomplished by repeating leading color, texture, flower. Radiation- all stems appear to come from one central axis. Progression- change by increasing or decreasing one or more qualities. - Size - Color - Texture of material used - Spacing between flowers

Rhythm Cont. Transition-making a gradual change, harmonizing unlike things. Blending colors, line patterns, and textures. Closely related to progression. Avoid sectioning your design Transition should also occur between the container and the arrangement Allow arrangement to overlap container.

Harmony/Unity Harmony- blending of all components of the design. Disregard of design principles resulting in lack of harmony. Unity- the design suggest oneness in idea of impression. Layering destroys unity. Good transition is a must in unity.