Principles of Design

Individuality Design is all about Individuality! No one will ever have the same design concept for one plan. Your own ideas and feelings go into your design. Creativity is key. But remember, the homeowner is the boss! If they don’t like it you might have to change it.

Principles of Art & Design Serve as structures and guidelines for design development. The principles of Design manipulate, influence, and control the principles of Art.

Principles of Art Line Form Texture Color

Line Causes physical and/or visual movement. Leads the eyes through the landscaped space. Defines space. Lines are used in all aspects of the landscape. Steer physical or visual movement directly through the environment.

Construct Lines… By using contrasting plant materials By forming patterns with similar plant materials Examples – Ground patterns, Edges of contrasting plant materials, and Tree tops meeting the sky

Lines cont’d Straight lines – formality or a contemporary concept Intersecting lines – hesitation, change of view or direction, or a pause Curved lines – relaxed, slower movement; casual & informal concept

Straight Lines

Curved Lines

Form 2 or 3 – Dimensional shape and structure of an object or space. Form is Line surrounding Space. Air space created by two plant materials set side by side is also an expression of form. Trees are good examples of form.

Common Forms Round Conical Oval Weeping Horizontal Upright

Forms cont’d Tailored plants and shrubs = formal design Irregular or natural forms = informal design

Texture Surface quality of any plant material or structure in the landscape. Texture is relative. Comparison is how we determine texture in a landscape. One plant might be fine in certain surroundings but in others course. Examples – Smooth, Rough, Shiny, or Dull.

Texture cont’d Fine texture = eyes move easy Course texture = focus eyes

Color Light is the source of color Color is visible wavelengths White is all light Black is the absence of light The color you see is the reflected wavelength

Color Color Wheel Primary colors Secondary colors Tertiary colors Red, yellow, blue Secondary colors Primary + Primary Violet, green, orange Tertiary colors Primary + Secondary Name begins with Primary Red-orange, yellow-green YELLOW RED BLUE

Color cont’d Hue – pure color Tint (pastel) – add white & decrease the value Tone – add gray Shade – add black Warm colors – yellow, red, orange = excitement Cool colors – blue and green = calm

Principles of Design The selection is based on the principles of art or design. The principles of design referred to in the book include: Repetition Variety Balance Emphasis Sequence Scale.

Repetition Repeating or using an element more than once throughout a design. Provides a common feature throughout the design that pulls the design together. Use the same plant in a couple of different places

Variety This is where you provide variety in the design by selecting some plants with different qualities of line, form, texture, or color from the mass of plants In other words don’t use the same plant over and over again

Balance This is where the design is classified as formal or informal. Formal is where the design is symmetrical and has the same plantings on each side of the view Informal designs are said to be asymmetrical and have different plants and different sizes of plants on each side of the view

Balance Symmetrical

Balance Asymmetrical

Emphasis It indicates dominance of some elements of the design over others.

Sequence is the uniformity of change from one item in the landscape to the next. Changes of at least one quality of form, texture, or color form one area of the planting to anther gives transition The apparent flow of lines, textures, and colors that express a feeling of motion rather than confusion.

Scale is the proportion of one object to another. It also means the relationship of an object with a designated standard such as a building or a person

Out – of – scale

In – scale

Landscaping Design What is Landscape Design? It is the practice of creating a plan to make the best use of available space in the most attractive way Relationships between the land , buildings, plants, and people are considered

Landscaping Design Professional Designers have two main purposes in mind when designing landscapes plans for the home or a building: 1st show off the home and building to its best advantage 2nd Create both an attractive and useful setting for the inhabitants

Landscaping Design What is a landscape Architect? They are trained in engineering , graphic arts, and architectural technology. They are skilled in designing functional plans based on the interrelationships of people and their surroundings

Landscaping Design What is a landscape Designer? They are trained in the art of design and the science of growing the horticultural plants. They work primarily with residential home designs and small commercial sites

Landscaping Design A landscape Designer will have the following: Knowledge of plant ID Cultural Requirments of plants Construction practices Principals of Design They will work at local nurseries , garden centers, and landscaping companies.