1. Principles of Floral Design
Floriculture
Principles of Floral Design

2. Five Principles of Design
Balance
Harmony (unity)
Scale (proportion)
Emphasis/Focal area/Focal point
Rhythm

3. Balance The actual weight or feeling of weight in a design.
Sense of stability and security
Achieved mechanically and visually

4. Aspects of Balance Mechanical Visual
distributing the mass of the design
top to bottom
side to side
follows central axis
void of flowers or a “leaning arrangement” will be unbalanced.
Visual
the way a person perceives mass or weight
becomes more visually balanced when the design is “heavier” near the base

5. Types of Symmetry Symmetrical Balance Asymmetrical Balance
central axis is in the center of the container
radial symmetry
bilateral symmetry
biradial symmetry
spiral symmetry
Asymmetrical Balance
central axis to the side of center when viewed from front
one side of axis has more mass than the other
off-center placement of axis balances the unequal mass

6. Factors Which Influence Mass
Color
dark colors have more mass than light colors
General ratio guide- 3 white: 2 medium: 1 dark is balanced
Texture
bold items are heavier than feathery-textured items
Shape and Size
larger and taller flowers weigh more than smaller flowers
Lighting
affects color intensity

7. Harmony (Unity)
A blending together of design components (plant material, container, accessories, base, & background)
Very abstract
Depends on personnel preference

8. Scale (Proportion) Size and shape relationships between: Rule of Thumb
the flowers and the other design components.
the container and the other design components.
the design itself and the space to be filled.
Rule of Thumb
design should be 1.5 times the height/width of container

9. Rule of Thumb Exceptions
When the container is not a visible part of the design.
When using colors that appear to be more massive, they appear to be shorter.

10. Emphasis/Focal Point Mechanical Visual
generally located at the base of the central axis
stems are directed toward the focal point
allows stems to appear as if they are growing naturally from a single source.
Visual
usually near the mechanical focal point
naturally draws the eye to the “heaviest” area of the design
strong visual focal point enhances the design

11. Rhythm Intentional placement of materials to create a pleasing pattern
Four methods of creating rhythm
Repetition
Transition
Facing
Depth

12. Repetition Repeating color, shape, lines, or size of components
Most commonly used method of achieving rhythm
Work with at least 2 stems of any particular flower variety

13. Transition
Gradual change in the placement or spacing of color, form, line, and scale within a design
More subtle way to create patterns
Gradually space flowers closer together as the eye travels down into the design

14. Facing Facing of flower heads or other components
Best used in contemporary designs where stems are not all placed toward one mechanical focal point

15. Depth
The “in” and “out” eye movement created by placement of selected materials further into the design
May be of a particular color, shape, texture, or scale

16. Form (Line & Silhouette)
Silhouette of the design
Used to create certain feelings
Straight lines: strength and dominance
Curved lines: grace and relaxation
A variety of forms (components) adds interest to the design

17. Forms Most designs fall in these categories: Vertical (bud vase)
Horizontal (table centerpiece)
Symmetrical triangle
Asymmetrical triangle
Round, oval and circular
Fan and radiating
Curved, crescent and hogarth
Parallel and new convention