Principles of Design Section 1

Proportion Relationship of one part of the design To the other parts To the whole

Proportion Must be in proportion to where it is going to be displayed Harmony with the location

Proportion Arrangement Height Should be 1 ½ times the height of the container May be increased based on the room Material may change the proportion

Proper Height 4 aspects Physical dimension of the container Color of the container Material and texture of the container Shape of the container Heavier darker containers will support taller arrangements Glass container is best for shorter arrangements

Proportion Should not obstruct the view of those people participating in a dinner conversation Arrangements should be kept low or high

Proportion Flowers and foliage of equal or nearly equal size Large mums should not be mixed with baby’s breath

Scale Another word for size Overall project compared with other objects 4 areas of scale

1. Flowers to Container Container important because it tells the size of the entire design Small=small flowers Large = massive showy flowers

2. Flowers to Flowers Flowers within the composition need to be similar in scale to one another Huge flowers can overshadow tiny blossoms

3. Flowers to Foliage Size of foliage should be in scale with the flowers Various foliages should be in scale with one another

4. Arrangements to Surroundings Size of table or area where sitting Size of the entire room

Balance Equality in weight Achieved through several methods

Physical Balance Stability of the plant materials within the container Will not fall over Stand freely on it’s own

Visual Balance Refers to perception of the arrangement being balanced Being equal in weight on both sides of the central axis A design that is not visually balanced is much like a crooked picture on the wall

Visual Balance From three views Two types Side to side Top to bottom Front to back Two types Symmetrical Asymmetrical

Symmetrical Balance Same balance on both sides of a central axis You could fold the arrangement in half and it would be the same Exhibited in formal settings Examples Oval, round, fan, triangle, vertical arrangements Oval and round centerpieces

Asymmetrical Balance Unequal material placements Informal design Examples Crescent, Hogarth curve, fan, diagonal, vertical, ikebana, scalene, right triangle

Balance Three main techniques to help achieve balance Visual Weight Centering Counterbalancing

Visual Weight Flower’s perceived lightness or heaviness based on: Color Shape Pattern Varying visual weight helps achieve the compensation in asymmetrical designs

Centering Placing dominant plant material along a design’s central vertical axis Allows for heavier plant material to be placed in the design

Counterbalancing Balancing materials on one side of a design with visually equal materials of the opposite end Essential in symmetrical designs Can help avoid strict mirror imaging

Rhythm Creating a pathway for the eye to follow Cause the viewer to look at the entire arrangement Two types Regular, repeated Free, variable 5 methods

Regular, Repeated Rhythm Materials are repeated at regular intervals from the top to bottom of the arrangement

Free, Variable Rhythm Unstructured style Subtle flowing movement

5 Methods Radiation Repetition Transition Variety Contrast

Radiation Stems radiate out naturally from the container Top view shows stems appearing as the spokes of a wheel Crossing stems is avoided

Repetition Repeating something throughout the arrangement Color Shape Space Lines

Transition Change of one material into another Should be smooth and gradual Lighter flowers near the container edge blend into the heavier ones towards the center

Variety Diverse assortment of differing components Focuses attention and stimulates interest and imagination

Contrast Objects have striking difference Beyond mere variety or diversity taking variety to a higher degree

Principles of Design Section 2

Dominance Importance of the design Interest and attention captured by one feature Achieved in 5 different ways

5 Ways to Achieve Dominance Using dominant plant material Using an emphasized design element Using a distinct style Using a theme Using a focal point

Plant Material

Emphasized Design Element

Distinct Style

Theme

Focal Point

Focal Point Center of interest Not all arrangements need Several methods for creation

Methods for Focal Point Large flowers Different flower forms Dark shades Framing materials Strong contrast color Radiation of plant materials to a specific area Use of accessories

Line Visual movement between two points Help create shape or express an emotional response Created through line materials

Line Materials Snapdragoon Liatris Scotch broom Use to create very definite horizontal, vertical, diagonal, or curvilinear lines.

Shape and Form Form Shape Can exist naturally or can be created 3 dimensional outline Shape 2 dimensional aspect of the form Can exist naturally or can be created

Common Forms Geometric Naturalistic Freeform

Geometric Most often circle and triangle Basic shapes can be varied Ovals, fans, scalene triangle, right triangles, crescent

Naturalistic Mirror the natural growth of plants Often include groupings of plant material

Freeform More contemporary Take your own liberties Create Don’t have to follow rules

Flowers Form Flowers Mass flowers Filler flowers Have distinctive shapes Tropical flowers Mass flowers Round solid flowers Carnations and mums Filler flowers Light airy flowers Baby’s breath and sea lavender

Pattern and Texture Texture Surface quality of the plant material Rough, smooth, velvety, satiny or hairy Also has visual texture Fine, airy, lacy, delicate, or bold

Color Most important Emotion Helps with other principles