Principles of Floral Design

4 Main Types of Flowers

Line flowers

Long, slender spikes of blossoms with flowers blooming along the stem.

Can also include bare stems.Used to establish the skeleton or outline

of the arrangement.Determine height and width of the

arrangement.

Mass flowers

Single stem flowers with large, rounded heads.

Also used when no line flowers are present to create outline of arrangement.

Sometimes used as the focal point or main flower of an arrangement.

Filler flowers

Used to fill gaps between mass flowers.Give depth to the arrangement.Should compliment the mass and line

flowersThey are bunchy or feathery (so ferns fall

here).Usually the most inexpensive part of the

arrangement.

Form flowers

These flowers have an unusual or distinctive shape.

They also help create the focal point.They need to be separated within the

arrangement so they maintain their identity and uniqueness.

Never bunch form flowers together.Many times they can stand alone such as in

corsages and boutonnieres.

Elements & Principles of Floral Design

Elements of Floral DesignLineFormSpaceTexture

PatternFragranceSizeColor

Line

The visual pathway that directs eye movement through a composition• Distance between two points

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--Power and strength

Horizontal linePeaceful and calm

Diagonal lineDynamically energetic, suggest motion

Curved lineSofter suggestion of motion

Form

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

Space

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

Texture

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

Texture

Texture

Texture

Pattern

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

Pattern

Pattern—what is repeated

Fragrance

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

Using all 5 senses

Size

The physical dimensions of line, form, or spaceFirst considerationsEmotional aspect

Color

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

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

Emotional response

Color

Principles of Floral Design

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 of Floral DesignBalanceProportion

ScaleDominance

Emphasis Focal Area Accent

Rhythm Depth Repetition Transition

Contrast Opposition Tension Variation

HarmonyUnity

Balance

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

Balance

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 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

ProportionThe comparative relationship in size,

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

width 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

Scale

The relative ratio of size, or the relationship of the size of a composition to 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

Dominance

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

Emphasis

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

Focal Area

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

Focal Point

Focal Point

Focal Point

Accent

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

Accessories

Accent

Accent

Rhythm

Flow or movement characterized by regular 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.

Depth

Three-dimensional arrangementoverlap or angle flowersplace bright, dark flowers on the bottom of the

arrangement, lighter and smaller at the top

Repetition

The recurrence of like elements within a composition

Repetition

Transition

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

Contrast

Emphasis by means of difference.

Contrast--color

Opposition

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

whereas contrast is simply different from each other

Opposition—black & white

Contrast in color simplest way to create strong focal point

Tension

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

Tension—something is waiting to happen

Variation

Dissimilarity among attributes or characteristics.Diversity among elementsVary stages of developmentAll 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

Harmony

Compatibility; a pleasing or congruent arrangement of parts.

All parts should go together or “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

Unity

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

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

Oneness of purpose, thought, style, and spirit.

Accessories Candles

Plums, kiwi enhance an overall harmonious theme

Examples of Line and Sticks Design Assignment