Unit B2-3

Floriculture

Horticulture CD

Problem Area 2

Floral Design

Lesson 3

Understanding the Principles of Floral

Design

Interest Approach Take a look at the design

to the right. Why does this arrangement look so good? Would you do anything to improve it?

Now look at these two designs. What’s wrong with them? How could you make them better?

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Student Objectives 1. Define floral design 2. List the principles of floral design 3. Explain the concept of proportion 4. Explain how the concept of balance is applied to

floral design 5. Describe how rhythm is applied in floral work 6. Explain how the principles of dominance and

focal point are used in floral design

Vocabulary Asymmetrical balance Balance Centering Contrast Counterbalancing Dominance Floral design Focal point Free, variable rhythm Physical balance Principles of design Proportion

Radiation Regular, repeated rhythm Repetition Rhythm Symmetrical balance Transition Variation Variety Visual balance Visual weight

What Is Floral Design? Floral design is the art of organizing the

design elements inherent in plant materials and accessories according to the principles of design art It is commonly called floral arranging People who arrange flowers are called floral

designers• These people have spent many hours mastering

the art and design principles

What Are the Principles of Design and How Are They Used?

Principles of design are the rules and guidelines used by floral designers to create floral arrangements

There are four major design principles : proportion, balance, rhythm and dominance Radiation, repetition, transition, variation,

contrast and focal point are minor principles

Major Design Principles

Proportion Pleasing relationship between size & shape among objects and parts of objects

Balance Refers to the arrangement’s equilibrium and equality in weight, both physical & visual

Rhythm Orderly organization of the design elements to create a visual pathway

Dominance One design element is more prevalent or noticeable capturing the viewer’s attention

Minor Design Principles

Radiation Makes the arrangement look as if all the stems are coming out of one point

Repetition Repeating the use of floral design elements to create unit in the work

Transition Smooth gradual change from one material or element to another

Variation Diverse assortment of materials, stimulating interest

Contrast Describes objects arranged with a striking difference, stimulating interest

Focal Point Center of interest of the design, visually tying it together

How Is Proportion Achieved in Floral Design? The design must be in proportion to

where it is going to be displayed It must be suitable for and in harmony

with its location• For example, a small bud vase of flowers

would be inappropriate on a church altar• Also, a huge basket of flowers would not be

in proportion on a small coffee table

The height of an arrangement should be 1 1/2 to 2 times the height or width of the container The height may be

increased depending on room dimensions and material types

Containers are a primary factor in determining height

Consider: Physical dimensions Color Material & texture Shape

A darker vase can visually hold a larger arrangement than a glass vase.

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Flowers and foliage of equal or nearly equal size will help in achieving proper proportion For example, orchids

should not be mixed with baby’s breath

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What Is Balance and How Is It Achieved?

There are two types of balance: Physical = actual stability of the arrangement

• The arrangement can stand freely and won’t fall over

Visual = refers to the perception of the arrangement being balanced; Should be evident from top to bottom, side to side and front to back

• Designs not balanced will look out of sorts like a crooked painting on a wall

• There are two types of visual balance• Symmetrical balance - having equal numbers

of plant materials on both sides of a central axis

• Round, fan, triangle and the inverted T are examples of symmetrical design forms

• Asymmetrical balance - having unequal placement of plant materials and weight of materials on each side of the central axis

• Hogarth curve, crescent, diagonal and right triangles are example of asymmetrical design forms

Balance can be achieved through the following methods: 1. Visual weight - a flower’s perceived

lightness or heaviness based on its color, shape and pattern

• Varying visual weight helps achieve the compensation or counterbalancing in asymmetrical designs

• Lighter colors should be used towards the top and sides; Darker ones towards the bottom and center

2. Designers use three main techniques to help achieve balance:

• A) visual weight= a flower’s perceived lightness or heaviness based on its shape, color and pattern

• Varying visual weight helps achieve the counterbalancing in asymmetrical arrangements

• Light colors towards top and sides; Darker towards bottom and center

• B) centering= the technique of placing dominant plant material along a design’s central vertical axis

• C) counterbalancing= means balancing plant materials on one side of a design with visually equal materials on the opposite side

• It is essential in asymmetrical work• Can be used to avoid strict mirror imaging in

symmetrical work

How Is Rhythm Created in a Floral Design? Creating a pathway for the eye to follow is

the purpose of rhythm An arrangement with good rhythm will cause

the viewer to look at the entire piece Two types:

A) regular, repeated rhythm – present when materials are repeated at regular intervals from top to bottom in the arrangement

B) free, variable rhythm- is an unstructured style with subtle flowing movements created with unstructured materials

There are five ways to achieve both free and regular rhythm

Ways of Creating RhythmRadiation Stems radiate out naturally from the container;

looks like spokes on a wheel

Repetition Repeating design elements throughout an arrangement including, but not limited to color, shape, space & lines

Transition Change from one material to another; should be smooth & gradual, such as in color changes

Variety Diverse assortment of differing components in a design; focuses attention & stimulates interest

Contrast Describes objects that have striking differences beyond mere variety or diversity, taking variety to a higher degree

What Is Dominance and How Is Focal Point Used to Create It? The use of dominance suggests to the

viewer what is important in a design Interest and attention are captured when one

feature dominates and others are secondary Can be achieved by:

1) using dominant plant material 2) using an emphasized design element 3) using a distinct style of design

4) using a theme 5) using a focal point

Focal point is the center of interest Not all arrangements have a focal point

• For example, round arrangements There are several ways to create a focal

point

Ways of Creating a Focal Point Use of large flowers

there Ex. Football mum

Use of special form flowers Ex. Orchid

Employing dark shades Vary concentration of

plant material

Use of framing methods Ex. Curved lines as in

crescent shape Use of strong color

contrasts Radiation of plant

material to a particular area

Use of accessories

Summary What is floral design? Name the four major design principles. What is focal point? Explain the proportional rule of “1 ½ to 2 times.” Where should heavy colors go? Light colors? How is physical balance different from visual

balance? What is the difference between symmetrical and

asymmetrical balance?

Summary Continued Describe how radiation can create rhythm. What is usually repeated in a design to create

rhythm? What is dominance? And how can it be achieved? Name two ways of creating a focal point.