Principles of Design

Principles of Design

Balance A. Stability of an arrangement 1. Arrangement appears secure and stable 2. Balance must be both visual and actual

Balance a. visual balance refers to the way an arrangement appears to the eye. B. visual balance is achieved by the proper use of plant materials according to size.

Balance C. visual weight refers to how heavy an object appears in an arrangement

Balance 1. Dark flowers appear heavier than light ones. 2. Flowers or objects of coarse texture appear heavier than those with a smooth texture.

Balance 3. Heavy flowers or objects need to be placed near the base of arrangements. Lighter ones are placed near the edges to give visual balance

Balance D. actual or mechanical balance achieved by proper placement of flowers. E. equal amounts of weight on both sides of the central axis of the arrangement.

Balance F. If mechanical balance is not achieved, the arrangement may topple.

Balance 3. Symmetrical and Asymmetrical balance are commonly used.

Balance Symmetrical or formal- equal visual weight on each side of an imaginary, central, vertical line.

Balance 1. Equal visual weight does not have to be expressed by identical materials. The materials are usually very similar.

Balance 2. More traditional types of arrangements are based on this type of balance.

Balance 3. Symmetrical arrangements should be displayed against a symmetrical background.

Balance 4. Arrangements placed on the altar and at the head table at a banquet are usually symmetrically balanced.

Balance B. Asymmetrical or informal arrangements- equal visual weight on both sides of the central axis, but each side is different in plant materials and the arrangement.

Balance C. Japanese styles of arranging are based on asymmetrical balance. D. Asymmetrical balance suggests movement to the eye.

Proportion Most arrangements are designed for a particular location such as a dining table.

Proportion The size of the table and the colors in the room will determine the flowers used the size and shape of the arrangement, and the container chosen. This relationship is known as proportion.

Proportion The interrelationship of all parts of an arrangement. 1. Plant materials should be 1 1/2 times as high as the height of the container or 1 1/2 the width of a low container. (minimum dimensions)

Proportion 2. Maximum dimensions depend on the background space and the weight of the material to be used.

Proportion A. If the materials to be used are light and airy, the arrangement may be 2 to 3 times or more the height of the container.

Proportion B. containers made of sturdy materials and dark colors can hold much larger arrangements. C. Choose flowers that fit with the size and character of the container.

Proportion 3. Scale refers to the relationship between an arrangement and the area in which it is to be displayed.

Focal Point Attracts and holds the attention of the viewer. 1. Also called the center of interest 2. Located near the place where the stems or lines appear to meet. 3. Balance requires that the center of interest be near the design base

Focal Point 4. There should be only a single focal point in a design. A. arrangements with more than one create restless movement of the eye. 1. Unity in the arrangement is destroyed.

Focal Point 5. Suggestions for creating a focal point: Bring the main lines of the design to the point. Place the largest flower there Concentrate the plant material in that area

Focal Point More suggestions for creating a focal point: Place the darkest color or the brightest color there

Focal Point Place strongly contrasting colors or textures at this point Place an unusually shaped flower there

Emphasis A. Closely related to focal point. Focuses the attention on one feature and keeps everything else secondary. B. Can be created by texture, color, and kind of flower and movement.

Emphasis C. In a finished arrangement, different kinds of flowers, foliage and colors compete for dominance and the arrangement loses its interest.

Emphasis 1. Uses a predominance of one color, texture, line or kind of flower and complement this with small amounts of other colors and flowers. 2. Maintaining dominance of one type of material, the finished design is more pleasing

Rhythm A. Movement of the eye through a design toward or away from the center of interest. 1. Flow of lines, textures, and colors that evokes a sense of motion.

Rhythm 2. Created by repetition, radiation, progression and transition.

Rhythm Repetition 1. Simplest way to develop rhythm in an arrangement. 2. Accomplished by repeating the leading color, strongest line, the dominant form or texture.

Rhythm 3. Select a flower of the desired color and repeat the use of the flower throughout the arrangement.

Rhythm Radiation 1. The attempt to make all stems appear to come from one central axis.

Rhythm D. Progression 1. Gradual change by increasing or decreasing one or more qualities. Such as size, color to texture of the material used, or space between flowers.

Rhythm 2. Progression develops movement in a certain direction. 3. Using flowers of increasing size. Large flowers at the bottom and center, buds and small flowers near the edge, medium between them.

Rhythm 4. Increase the space between flowers at the edges and decreasing at the center.

Rhythm 5. Progression in texture is achieved through using fine textured materials at the edge and working in with more coarse textured material.

Rhythm 6. Progression in color is accomplished by using flowers of light value at the edges and top and moving in with darker values.

Transition 1. Making a gradual change 2. Blending colors, line patterns and textures 3. Progression and transition are closely related and progression is often used to create a transition.

Transition 4. Don’t section the design- use of one color or texture in one area and different in another. 5. Blend colors, textures and shapes together to unify the design.

Transition 6. Transition should also exist between the container and the arrangement. Allow some plant material to over hang the rim. This allows the eye to move easily from the container to the arrangement.

Harmony A. Blending of all components of the design. B. A pleasing relationship within the design in color, texture, shape, size, and line.

Unity A. When all the parts of the design suggest a single idea or impression. B. Repeating colors throughout the design.

Unity C. Establish a focal point and a dominant flower in the arrangement. D. Do not create horizontal layer of colors or textures.

Design Elements The visual qualities of a composition.

A. Line 1. Provides a visual path for the eye to follow. 2. Framework that holds the entire arrangement together.

Design Elements 3. Create line by using linear materials such as stems, branches, or line flowers. 4. The lines of a design must never be broken.

Principles of Design