Advanced Floriculture

Elements of Design

What are the principles of design?

• Composition

• Harmony

• Texture

• Scale (Proportion)

• Form (Line and Shape)

• Focal Point

• Rhythm

Composition• What is it?

• The overall design when completed

• The grouping of different components which makes a pattern that the eye sees as a whole

Harmony

• The blending together of different components– plant material– container– accessories– base– background

• so that each component looks as though it belongs with the others

Texture• The physical surface properties

• Relates to components, not design

• Creates interest – important in monochromatic designs

• Examples of textures:– silk (smooth)– moss (rough)

Proportion (scale)

• Size and shape relationship of design components

• Rule of thumb: tallest piece should be 1 1/2 times as tall or wide as the container– actual range: 1 to 5 times height

• Exception: when the container isn’t a visible part of the design

Form (Line and Shape)

• Silhouette of the design

• Used to create certain feelings– Straight lines: strength and dominance– Curved lines: grace and relaxation

• A variety of forms (components) adds interest to the design

Form of Design

• Most designs fall in these categories:– Vertical (bud vase)– Horizontal (table centerpiece)– Symmetrical triangle– Asymmetrical triangle– Round, oval and circular– Fan and Radiating– Curved, crescent and hogarth– Parallel and new convention

Focal Point

• Visual center of gravity in a design

• Mechanical focal area: located near the base of the design

• Visual focal area: usually same as the mechanical area – the “heaviest” area of the design– naturally draws the eye

Rhythm• Achieved in four ways:• Repetition of color, form, scale

• Transition: – a gradual change in placement or grouping of

color, form or scale

• Facing: where you direct eye movement

• Balance

Balance

• Feeling of weight, stability & security in a design

• Achieved in the following ways:– Mechanical (actual weight distribution)– Visual (the way we perceive weight)– Formal (symmetrical)– Informal (asymmetrical)