Elements of Floral DesignThe directly observable

components, ingredients, and physical

characteristics of a design.

Elements of Floral Design

LineFormSpace Texture

PatternFragranceSizeColor

LineThe vital visual path that directs eye movement through a composition.

A line is simply the distance between two points

Line directions have meanings

Vertical LineVertical lines - stress height and suggest power and strength

Horizontal Line Horizontal lines - stress width and are peaceful and calm, provide a sense of stability

Diagonal LineDiagonal line - lively and energetic, causing more eye movement. Use sparingly

Curved LineCurved line - suggest motion, but are softer, more comforting. Eye moves quickly through design.

Form The shape or configuration of an

individual component of the composition the overall, three – dimensional, geometric shape or configuration of a floral composition.

Form is essentially shape Every component of a flower

arrangement carries with it some form.

Forms of flower arrangements

Space The area in, around, and

between the components of the design, defined by the three-dimensional area occupied by the composition. Positive space Negative space

Negative Space The planned area within a

composition that is devoid of any materials: essentially, empty space.

Positive Space The portion of a composition which is

physically occupied by something… a flower, a branch, a container, or some solid object.

Void The term void is used to describe

empty space that serves to visually separate areas of positive space.

Texture The surface quality of a

material, as perceived by sight or touch.

Every component of a floral design possesses some surface quality, whether it is smooth, coarse, waxy, rough, delicate, or velvety.

In floral design, textures are combined in certain ways in order to create interest and/or unity in the design.

Smooth Having a surface free from

irregularities, roughness, or projections

Coarse Consisting of large particles; not fine

in texture

Waxy Smooth and lustrous soft surface

Rough Marked by inequalities, ridges, or

projections on the surface

Delicate Fine in texture, quality, fragile, easily

damaged, frail

Velvety Something suggesting the smooth

surface of velvet, softness.

Just as with the other elements of design, the kinds and amounts of texture variations within a floral design are determined by the choices of the designer, always with an eye for harmony.

Too many different textures in one arrangement can be distracting.

PatternA repeated combination of

line, form, color, texture, and/or space.

The silhouette of a flower or an arrangement as observed against its background, including solids and spaces.

A pattern is a composite of features resulting in a decorative design of natural or artistic origin.

Patterns enhance the beauty of the flower or the design

We see patterns all around us

The concept of repetition is important in that design elements placed in a repeated pattern can generate a sense of rhythm as

well as interest.

FragranceA sweet or pleasing odor,

perceived by the sense of smell

Almost anyone, when presented with a bouquet

will bring it immediately to his or her nose to see how good it might smell

SizeThe physical dimensions of line, form, or space

One of the first considerations in floral design

The sizes of the selected flowers must be right for the arrangement

The composition itself must be an appropriate size for its surroundings

Size is the element from which the principles of proportion and scale are derived.

Small Large

Color The visual response of the eye to

reflected rays of light Most important design element Optical sensation, originating in the

brain’s perception of light energy reflected to the eye from a pigmented surface.

Emotional response

Color is the first thing you see when looking at a flower arrangement.