Balance, Proportion and Scale

Balance Balance: The quality of a floral arrangement that gives a sense of equilibrium. Physical balance or mechanical balance: the floral arrangement is able to stand on its own without falling over

Balance Visual balance Symmetrical balance: Identical flowers and foliage are repeated on both sides of the arrangement One side of the arrangement is a mirror image of the other

Balance Asymmetrical balance is achieved by placing unequal visual weight on each side of the vertical axis

Balance Radial Balance: all elements of a floral design radiate from a central point

Balance Open balance is neither asymmetrical nor symmetrical. does not follow any format or rules relies on perceived balance

Proportion Proportion: Relation of one part to another Golden rectangle has a ratio of sides of 2:3 and is said to have good proportion

Scale Scale is another word for size and refers to the overall size of an object compared with other objects Flowers to container A small container requires more delicate flowers A heavy vase requires larger flowers Flowers to flowers: Extreme size difference in flowers can be unappealing

Scale Flowers to foliage: don’t use plumosa with phaleonopsis orchids Arrangement to surroundings: Large arrangements go in large rooms. They will appear larger in small rooms and appear to take over.