Chapter 2:Principles of Design

1. Chapter 2:Principles of Design History of Floral Design

2. History of Floral Design • Flower arranging is a work of art. • We follow certain guidelines to properly arrange flowers so that they become a “work of art”. These guidelines are called principles of design.

3. Basic laws • Fundamentals, truths or methods of operation that have been tested and proven for many centuries.

4. Arrangements • Judged by these principles • Tools that will guide in planning and evaluating arrangements.

5. Concepts of floral design • Two concepts developed independently of each other. • Occidental Style – evolved in Egyptian and Middle Eastern Cultures • Further developed by the Europeans

6. Egyptian Period • 2800-28BC • Arranged separate rows of different colored flowers in shallow bowls • Feast tables were often decorated with fruits and vegetables neatly piled in low baskets

7. Egyptian Period • Several flowers were considered sacred, symbolizing Egyptian Gods and Goddesses • Lotus and Water Lilies were placed in elaborate vases, bowls and jars

8. Ancient Greeks • 600-146 BC • Did not arrange flowers in vases, scattered blossoms on tables and on the streets • Flowers were used to make garland and wreaths worn during special occasions. Presented as awards to athletes, statesmen and soldiers.

9. Ancient Greeks • The cornucopia (horn or plenty) was filled with fruits and vegetables • Placed in an upright position rather than on its side as done today

10. Romans • 28 BC - 325 AD • Continued the customs of the Greeks • Arrangements and usage became more elaborate • Scattered roses on banquet tables and on the floor

11. Romans • Scarves filled with blossoms were offered at an altar in Roman Religious Ceremonies • Wreaths and Garlands became more elaborate

12. Byzantine Period • 320-600 AD • Arrangements of cut flowers used again • Formal conical designs with clusters of blossoms at regular intervals

13. Middle Ages • 476-1600 AD • Very little is known about floral designs of this time period • Herbs were used in medicines and fruits and vegetables and fruits were used for eating • Flowers were often painted on altars and seen in Persian rugs

14. Renaissance • 1400-1600 AD • Beautifully documented in paintings • Designs were large, tall, pyramidal, and symmetrically balanced

15. Renaissance • Flower arrangements were loose, un-crowded and airy • Formal bouquets featured the most important flower situated centrally, at the top of the bouquet, with other flower heads turned outward.

16. Renaissance • Flowers were arranged so that they were about twice the height of the container • Intense colors were used to create contrast with the white plastered walls of buildings • Several traditional floral designs of today are styled after renaissance arrangements

17. Baroque Period • Began as symmetrical, oval shaped designs • Asymmetrical curves in the shape of a crescent or an “s” were adopted later • The “s” curve and crescent arrangements developed during this period are popular today

18. Baroque • An abundance of flower types and colors were used together • Arrangements incorporated a variety of accessories such as figurines and butterflies

19. Flemish-style • 1600-1750 AD • Beautifully captured by Dutch painters • Traditional baroque styles were refined • Refined - not as loose and open • Better proportioned and more compact

20. Flemish style • Rich colors and an array of flowers were combined into masses, oval shape bouquets. • The French developed mass arrangements during the same time that were lighter and more airy than those of the Dutch. • Arrangements were made from delicate flowers in light pastel colors.

21. Georgian period • 1714-1760 A.D. • Time period that spanned the reigns of the English kings George I and George II • Arrangements were greatly influenced by Chinese arts. • Usually symmetrical and triangularly shaped.

22. Georgian period • Usually symmetrical and triangularly shaped. • Many featured a single flower type. • Designs moved away from formality and symmetry in the late part of the period.

23. Georgian period • Many featured a single flower type. • Designs moved away from formality and symmetry in the late part of the period. • Nosegay, or handheld bouquet became stylish • Small nosegay bouquets placed in bowls were the first use of table centerpieces as we know them today.

24. Georgian period • Georgian art influenced the decorative arts in Colonial America. • Fan shaped and triangular arrangements were made and sometimes placed the center of interest near the rim of the container.

25. Georgian period • Boxwood, ivy, and magnolia were used with garden flowers in the summer • Berries, cones, greens with fruit were used during the winter along with dried flowers.

26. Victorian period • 1820-1914 A.D. • Flowers were fashionable but designs were rather unappealing. • Improperly proportioned • Large amounts of flowers cramped into a container to create a compact arrangement

27. Victorian period • Usually asymmetrical with no focal point. • Many different flower types and colors used, arrangements looked unplanned. • Rules for flower arranging were established toward the end of the Victorian period.

28. Oriental Style • Began in China • Later explored by the Japanese • Began in India where Buddhist priests scattered branches and stem on altar or placed them in pottery urns.

29. Oriental Style • Modified by the Chinese during the first century A.D. • Arranged flowers in massive bronze vessels • Felt it was improper to place flowers carelessly on the altar. • Created symbolic arrangements • Bright colors were favored.

30. Oriental Style • Usually large and symmetrical with one or two types of foliage and flowers placed around a central branch. • Lightest colors were used at outer portions of design, darker ones kept nearest the base.

31. Oriental Style • Sixth Century A.D. Japanese adopted many aspects of the Chinese culture, including floral arrangement. • Japanese priest named Ikenabo refined the art. • His instruction was sought by other Buddhist priests. • Began the first school of floral art in Japan which bears his name.

32. OrientalStyle • Name later changed to Ikebana which means “giving life to the flowers.” • Many schools of Japanese flower arrangements have evolved from this original one, the basic principles can be traced back to Ikenaba.

33. OrientalStyle • Japanese designs are characterized by minimum use of plant material and careful placement of branches and flowers. • Each placement and angle has meaning. • This type of arrangement became known as “line arrangement”

34. European Style • Generally large, round or oval mass of flowers • Flower placement is not rigidly dictated as in oriental design • Known as mass arrangements

35. European Style • Most floral designs in the US are referred to as “line mass” and combine Oriental and European ideas • American floral design uses more materials than the Oriental but far fewer than the European • US floral design is often built around linear patterns, showing the Oriental influence.