Principles of Floral Design Topic 2111 Five Principles

Principles of Floral Design Topic #2111

Five Principles of Design • • • Balance Harmony (unity) Scale (proportion) Focal area/ focal point/ focus/ emphasis Rhythm

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

Aspects of Balance • Mechanical – 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

Types of Symmetry • Symmetrical Balance • Asymmetrical – central axis is in the center Balance – – of the container radial symmetry bilateral symmetry biradial symmetry spiral symmetry – 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

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

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

Scale (Proportion) • Size and shape relationships between: – 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

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.

Focal Area/ Focal Point • Mechanical – 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

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

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

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

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

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