Artistic (Design) principles guide our artistic expression. Some are abstract – they can guide your thinking. Principles of Landscape Design

1.BALANCE 2.PROPORTION 3.SIMPLICITY 4.VARIETY 5.UNITY 6.SEQUENCE 1.BALANCE 2.PROPORTION 3.SIMPLICITY 4.VARIETY 5.UNITY 6.SEQUENCE Principles of Landscape Design

1.BALANCE: A state of equilibrium, equality in weight, value or importance. Principles of Landscape Design

BALANCE: Two types of balance… Symmetrical – formal, static… Achieved using the same thing on each side of a central axis. Symmetry can be boring. If there isn't any movement it makes for a static landscape. And if you lose a plant on one side the balance will be lost. Also if a house is asymmetrical you can't really do a symmetrical landscape. BALANCE: Two types of balance… Symmetrical – formal, static… Achieved using the same thing on each side of a central axis. Symmetry can be boring. If there isn't any movement it makes for a static landscape. And if you lose a plant on one side the balance will be lost. Also if a house is asymmetrical you can't really do a symmetrical landscape. Principles of Landscape Design

BALANCE: Two types of balance… Symmetrical – formal, static Asymmetrical – casual, movement… Achieved by using similar ideas but different things on either side. Big structures with a big side and a little side. You might need something dramatic on the small side and airier stuff on the heavy side. BALANCE: Two types of balance… Symmetrical – formal, static Asymmetrical – casual, movement… Achieved by using similar ideas but different things on either side. Big structures with a big side and a little side. You might need something dramatic on the small side and airier stuff on the heavy side. Principles of Landscape Design

BALANCE Principles of Landscape Design

BALANCE Principles of Landscape Design

BALANCE Principles of Landscape Design

BALANCE Principles of Landscape Design

BALANCE Principles of Landscape Design

BALANCE: Mass Collection – within the framework of either symmetry or asymmetry, mass collection is one other method for establishing order in a design composition. BALANCE: Mass Collection – within the framework of either symmetry or asymmetry, mass collection is one other method for establishing order in a design composition. Principles of Landscape Design

BALANCE (mass collection creates order) Principles of Landscape Design

BALANCE (mass collection creates order) Principles of Landscape Design No! Plants are separated and scattered Yes! Plants are grouped together in masses

BALANCE (mass collection creates order) Principles of Landscape Design

2.PROPORTION (or scale): the way things relate to each other with respect to size (big-medium-little). When it is obvious it's clear when something is disproportionate. In residential design we want elements that are in proportion to each other. Much difference in size creates dissonance…unable to reconcile one element with another. 2.PROPORTION (or scale): the way things relate to each other with respect to size (big-medium-little). When it is obvious it's clear when something is disproportionate. In residential design we want elements that are in proportion to each other. Much difference in size creates dissonance…unable to reconcile one element with another. Principles of Landscape Design

PROPORTION If you have huge elements and small elements you will need something in the intermediate range to bring them together. Very large is intimidating. We generally don't want that in residential design. You want to make people feel welcome. Bring things down to human scale. PROPORTION If you have huge elements and small elements you will need something in the intermediate range to bring them together. Very large is intimidating. We generally don't want that in residential design. You want to make people feel welcome. Bring things down to human scale. Principles of Landscape Design

PROPORTION Disproportionate Proportionate Principles of Landscape Design

Proportionate or disproportionate Disproportionate PROPORTION

Principles of Landscape Design Proportionate or disproportionate Proportionate

3.SIMPLICITY: limiting change or variation… Achieved by repetition of ideas.  If we start saying yes to too many things in the landscape we will have problems.  One of the most common errors in landscapes is that we try to do too much. Too many different kinds of plants.  Best to reduce the number of themes. The viewer needs to experience the landscape as one thing at a time.  However too much simplicity = Monotony 3.SIMPLICITY: limiting change or variation… Achieved by repetition of ideas.  If we start saying yes to too many things in the landscape we will have problems.  One of the most common errors in landscapes is that we try to do too much. Too many different kinds of plants.  Best to reduce the number of themes. The viewer needs to experience the landscape as one thing at a time.  However too much simplicity = Monotony Principles of Landscape Design

SIMPLICITY Principles of Landscape Design Monotype planting

SIMPLICITY Principles of Landscape Design Simple but monotonous

SIMPLICITY Principles of Landscape Design Simple but not monotonous

4.VARIETY: Must have it. A landscape that is too simple is monotonous. However, A lot of different things is not a pleasing variety. If there is too much variety you can't tell the theme. Variety is more like one thing that stands out among other things. It engages the viewer with what's going on. You can group things together to make a unit. Important to have something unexpected - something that adds a focal point, interest. 4.VARIETY: Must have it. A landscape that is too simple is monotonous. However, A lot of different things is not a pleasing variety. If there is too much variety you can't tell the theme. Variety is more like one thing that stands out among other things. It engages the viewer with what's going on. You can group things together to make a unit. Important to have something unexpected - something that adds a focal point, interest. Principles of Landscape Design

VARIETY Principles of Landscape Design Too much variety causes visual confusion

VARIETY Principles of Landscape Design Too little variety causes monotony

VARIETY Principles of Landscape Design Careful use of variety allows emphasis to be placed where desired

VARIETY – Absence of monotony… Variety adds spice, adds interest Too much variety = confusion VARIETY – Absence of monotony… Variety adds spice, adds interest Too much variety = confusion Principles of Landscape Design Simple Varied Monotony Confusion

Principles of Landscape Design Overriding Principle is Unity – Landscape elements should tie together in some ways

5.UNITY: Tying the landscape together. Provides a good blend of simplicity and variety. Take some feature of the garden and treat it differently to match the theme.  Cut stone/natural shapes: same color.  For example, brick patio pavers and in another area make a brick post or wall. Ties it together. Same material-different treatment.  Topography can be used for unity. Berms, hills - unity can be built in a landscape by using exactly the same thing is a different way. 5.UNITY: Tying the landscape together. Provides a good blend of simplicity and variety. Take some feature of the garden and treat it differently to match the theme.  Cut stone/natural shapes: same color.  For example, brick patio pavers and in another area make a brick post or wall. Ties it together. Same material-different treatment.  Topography can be used for unity. Berms, hills - unity can be built in a landscape by using exactly the same thing is a different way. Principles of Landscape Design

UNITY: Tying the landscape together.  Curves can be a unifying theme.  Similar backgrounds for all of the foregrounds.  Same color/different plant.  Strong elements to unify the landscape: COLOR, CURVES, LINES, CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, TEXTURES.  Tools and materials are the elements of design UNITY: Tying the landscape together.  Curves can be a unifying theme.  Similar backgrounds for all of the foregrounds.  Same color/different plant.  Strong elements to unify the landscape: COLOR, CURVES, LINES, CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, TEXTURES.  Tools and materials are the elements of design Principles of Landscape Design

UNITY: Tying the landscape together.  Unity can be established by the following:  Dominance  Repetition  Interconnection  Unity of three UNITY: Tying the landscape together.  Unity can be established by the following:  Dominance  Repetition  Interconnection  Unity of three Principles of Landscape Design

UNITY: Tying the landscape together. Dominance: An accent or focal point UNITY: Tying the landscape together. Dominance: An accent or focal point Principles of Landscape Design

UNITY: Tying the landscape together. Repetition: Selected plant material should be repeated throughout the landscape. UNITY: Tying the landscape together. Repetition: Selected plant material should be repeated throughout the landscape. Principles of Landscape Design

UNITY: Tying the landscape together. Repetition: Selected plant material should be repeated throughout the landscape. UNITY: Tying the landscape together. Repetition: Selected plant material should be repeated throughout the landscape. Principles of Landscape Design

UNITY: Tying the landscape together. Repetition: Selected plant material should be repeated throughout the landscape. UNITY: Tying the landscape together. Repetition: Selected plant material should be repeated throughout the landscape. Principles of Landscape Design

UNITY: Tying the landscape together. Repetition: Selected plant material should be repeated throughout the landscape. UNITY: Tying the landscape together. Repetition: Selected plant material should be repeated throughout the landscape. Principles of Landscape Design

UNITY: Tying the landscape together. Interconnection: When interconnection is utilized the eye can move smoothly from one element to another. UNITY: Tying the landscape together. Interconnection: When interconnection is utilized the eye can move smoothly from one element to another. Principles of Landscape Design

UNITY: Tying the landscape together. Unity of three: Whenever three elements of the same kind are grouped together you get a strong sense of unity. UNITY: Tying the landscape together. Unity of three: Whenever three elements of the same kind are grouped together you get a strong sense of unity. Principles of Landscape Design

6.SEQUENCE (Rhythm): An orderly progression.  From horizontal to rounded to vertical - from low spreading plants to vertical plants.  Here to there. Near to far. Turf-shrubs- trees.  Sequence can help the eye move from one area to another. 6.SEQUENCE (Rhythm): An orderly progression.  From horizontal to rounded to vertical - from low spreading plants to vertical plants.  Here to there. Near to far. Turf-shrubs- trees.  Sequence can help the eye move from one area to another. Principles of Landscape Design

SEQUENCE (Rhythm): can be achieved through repetition and alternation Principles of Landscape Design

SEQUENCE (Rhythm): can be achieved through the graduation in size and type of plants used. Principles of Landscape Design

Harmony in the landscape is a situation that exists when all the 6 design principles work together. Principles of Landscape Design

Order can be defined as the big picture or overall frame work of a design. Order in the design process Order within the context of the design theme or style. Order can be created within the design composition symmetry, asymmetry, and mass collection. Order can be defined as the big picture or overall frame work of a design. Order in the design process Order within the context of the design theme or style. Order can be created within the design composition symmetry, asymmetry, and mass collection. Principles of Landscape Design