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 principles of design are associated with related secondary principles of design. The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Why follow the principles of design? The elements and principles of design are the building blocks of every successful floral design. The principles are guidelines that tell us how to assemble the elements. The Recipe Taken together, the elements and principles of design provide the foundation upon which any successful design is created. The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Primary and secondary principles of design. Balance Dominance Emphasis Focal Area/Focal Point Accent Rhythm Depth Repetition Transition Proportion Scale Contrast Opposition Tension Variation Harmony Unity The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Balance A state of equilibrium, actual or visual; a feeling of three- dimensional stability. Every successful floral design conveys some sense of balance, or physical and visual stability. A floral design is physically balanced if it does not fall over under it’s own weight. The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Visual Balance The feeling that the composition is stable in its placement. Larger elements and darker colors tend to be used near the bottom or inner part of the design so as to avoid the appearance of being top heavy. The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Radial Balance A feeling of stability created by all materials radiating of emerging from a common central point of convergence, such as the spokes of a wheel or the rays of the sun. The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Symmetrical Balance A state of visual equilibrium in which the two sides of an arrangement, relative to a central vertical axis, are nearly equal, suggesting mirror images and conveying a similar sense of visual weight. The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Asymmetrical Balance A state of visual equilibrium in which the two sides of an arrangement, relative to a central vertical axis, are different and unequal, yet convey a similar sense of visual weight. Also referred to as informal balance or natural balance. Often featured in contemporary design The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Visual weight An object in a floral arrangement may appear heavier if it is relatively larger in size, stronger in color, or coarser in texture than other objects. Darker colors appear to be heavier The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Proportion The 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. Good proportion describes the agreeable or harmonious relationship among parts of a whole, with respect to magnitude, number, or degree. The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Size relationships In order for a floral design to be in good proportion, the “flower” part of the arrangement should be one-and-a half to two times the height plus the weight of the container. The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

The Golden Mean The ideal standard of perfect proportion, defined as a line divided in such a way that the ratio of the smaller section to the greater is the same as that of the greater section to the whole. The mathematical value of this ratio is 1.618, expressed approximately in whole numbers as 3:5:8. The flowers ought to be approximately 1.618 times the size of the container. But the principle of proportion applies to the relative amount of one color to another, the use of one texture against another, the preponderance of one kind of line as opposed to another, and so on. It can be applied to virtually every one of the elements of design. The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Reverse proportion A non-conventional use of proportion. The floral materials are subordinate in size to the container. The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Inverse proportion Features flowers that cascade down beyond the height of the container in opposition to the usual upright positioning seen in most floral designs. The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Scale The relative ratio of size, or the relationship of the size of a composition to the surrounding area of environment. Properly scaled design is appropriate for the size of its surrounding area. This arrangement is in proper proportion for the hotel lobby, whereas a small bud vase would look out of place in this surrounding. The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Principle of scale applied to flowers For example: Large flowers may be out of scale for a small confined space. They may also be too large to appear comfortable in a small vase. The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Dominance The visual organization within a design that emphasizes one or more aspects. When one element is emphasized, others are subordinate. Dominance exists in the relationship between one element and another. The effective use of dominance conveys a clear message to the viewer that one or another of the elements is the most important aspect of the design. The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Emphasis The special attention or importance given to one or more areas within a design. The use of emphasis serves to direct the eye to visually important areas within the design. Achieved through the use of relatively larger or darker materials. Expressed through the repetition of one or more elements within a design. The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Focal area/Focal point The area of greatest visual impact or weight; the center of interest to which the eye is most naturally drawn. Center or gravity or balance within a composition. Eye of the viewer is drawn to that area of the design. Visual weight tends to be concentrated in this area. The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Accent Detail added to a design to provide additional interest, affecting the total character of the composition. Floral and plant materials can be used as accents if they are different from all the other flowers and foliages in the design. The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Contrast Emphasis by means of difference; strength through opposition. The use of contrast in a floral design can strengthen the impact of an element. For example; line, color, and repetition are often used in designs to contrast with the other elements in the design. The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Opposition Contrast between elements which are counterpoint in relation to each other, bringing about a sense of tension in a design. Materials used in opposition call attention to each other by their differences. Black and white - The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Tension The dynamic, aesthetic quality achieved by the skillful use of opposition, implying or suggesting a sense of energy. Implies contradiction Tension creates interest in a flower arrangement by suggesting that some force of energy is present. The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Variation Dissimilarity among attributes or characteristics. Variety among the ingredients in an arrangement can create interest. The blending of sizes, shapes, colors, and spacing The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Rhythm Visual movement through a design, usually achieved through repetition or gradation. The distance or space between the elements in a floral design generate rhythm throughout the arrangement. Established by the placement of repeated elements within the design. The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Depth The placement of materials at different levels within and around an arrangement. Three-dimensional quality The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Repetition The recurrence of like elements within the composition. A principle that leads to the appearance of unity in a design. The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Transition The ease of visual movement which results from gradual degrees of change among one or more of the elements. Smaller flowers to larger ones Lighter shades to darker shades The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Harmony Compatibility; a pleasing or congruent arrangement of parts. Components of an arrangement seem to go together. Must be considered in the relationship with its surroundings. The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.

Unity Oneness of purpose, thought, style, and spirit. Organization of components into a harmonious whole. Arrangement seen as a whole instead of in parts. The American Institute of Floral Designers. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design. Terms, Techniques, and Traditions. The Intelvid Group 2005.