Elements & Principles

of Floral Design

Elements
of Floral Design
The directly observable components,
ingredients, and physical
characteristics of a design.

Elements of Floral Design

Line
Form
Space
Texture

Pattern
Fragrance
Size
Color

Line
The visual pathway that directs eye
movement through a composition
Distance between two points

Line directions:
Vertical linesstress height and suggest power
and strength
Horizontal linesstress width and are peaceful
and calm, provide a sense of stability
Diagonal linedynamically energetic, causing
more eye movement. Use sparingly
Curved linesuggest motion, but are softer,
more comforting. Eye moves quickly through
design.

Vertical line--Power
and strength
line--

Horizontal linePeaceful
and calm
line

Diagonal lineDynamically
energetic,
line
suggest motion

Curved lineSofter
suggestion of
line
motion

Form
the shape or configuration of an individual
component of the composition. The
overall, three-dimensional, geometric
shape or configuration of a floral
composition.

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

Texture
The surface quality of a material, as
perceived by sight or touch
Smooth, coarse, waxy, rough, delicate, velvety

Texture

Texture

Texture

Pattern
A repeated combination of line, form,
color, texture, and/or space.
Variegated markings, speckles
Any element used more than once

Pattern

Patternwhat is repeated

Fragrance
A sweet or pleasing odor, perceived by
the sense of smell.
heightens our awareness
increases sensory enjoyment
triggers memory

Using all 5 senses

Size
The physical dimensions of line, form, or
space
First considerations
Emotional aspect

Color
The visual response of the eye to
reflected rays of light
most important design element
Optical sensation, originating in the brains
perception of light energy reflected to the eye
from a pigmented surface.
Emotional response

Color

Principles of Floral
Design
Principles of design-fundamental guidelines to
aesthetic design that govern the organization of the
elements and materials in accordance with the laws of
nature. Some primary principals of design are
associated with related secondary principles of design.

Principles
of
Floral
Design
Balance
Contrast
Proportion
Scale

Dominance
Emphasis
Focal Area
Accent

Rhythm
Depth
Repetition
Transition

Opposition
Tension
Variation

Harmony
Unity

Balance
gives a sense of equilibrium and repose, a
feeling of three-dimensional stability.
.
Physical also known as mechanical
balancesound
Visual balancesense of equilibrium

Easily falls over

Or looks like it will easily tip over

Visually balanced

Balance
symmetrical balanceknown as formal
balance, flowers are repeated on opposite
sides of the floral arrangement. Using an
imaginary central axis, one side of the
arrangement is the mirror image of the other.
Asymmetrical balanceknown as informal
balance. Formed by placing unequal visual
weight on each side of a central vertical axis.

Balance
Radial balanceradiate from a central
point like the spokes of a wheel or the rays
of the sun.

Symmetrical-one side mirrors the other

Asymmetrical-two sides are dissimilar but have equal visual weight or equal eye
attraction which creates visual balance

Symmetrical vs. Asymmetrical

Radial Balance

Radial balance--Not separate from symmetrical or asymmetrical,

but merely a fine distinction of one or the other

Radial Balance

Symmetrical but too perfectrendering a contrived and fake appearance

Near symmetrical
Not symmetrical in placement but arranged in a near-symmetrical pattern to
form a balanced, formal shape

Proportion
The comparative relationship in size,
quantity, and degree of emphasis among
components within the composition; the
relationship of one portion to another, or of
one portion to the whole.
design should be 1 to 2 times the height or
width of the container

Greek golden section in which the ration of vase to flowers is

3 to 5 or roughly 5 to 8

Golden mean refers to the division of a line somewhere

between and 1/3 its length
Flower design slightly off center

Overall size of a floral arrangement or its parts

compared with other objects or their parts.
Scale floral elements with each other

Scale
The relative ratio of size, or the
relationship of the size of a composition to
the surrounding area or environment.

Arrangements should fit on the table physically and visually and be in

proportion to the surrounding area

Small table small room small arrangement

Large to permit viewing from a distance

Dominance
The visual organization within a design
that emphasizes one or more aspects.
When one element is emphasized, others
are subordinate.

Emphasis
The special attention or importance given
to one or more areas within a design.
Directs eye to more important areas

Focal Area
The area of greatest visual impact or
weight;
weight the center of interest to which the
eye is most naturally drawn.
Center of gravity or balance
Where eye is drawn
Where the eye rests
One element different than others

Focal Point

Focal Point

Focal Point

Accent
Detail added to a design to provide
additional interest, affecting the total
character of the composition.
Enlivens
Dash of something

Accessories

Accent

Accent

Rhythm
Flow or movement characterized by
regular recurrence of elements or features
Use repeated patterns and graceful
spacing.
The goal is to create a visual pathway that
leads the viewers eye around and through
the design, then back to the focal point.

Depth
Three-dimensional arrangement
overlap or angle flowers
place bright, dark flowers on the bottom of the
arrangement, lighter and smaller at the top

Repetition
The recurrence of like elements within a
composition

Repetition

Transition
The ease of visual movement which
results from gradual degrees of change
among one or more of the elements

Contrast
Emphasis by means of difference.
difference

Contrast--color

Opposition
Contrast between elements which are
counterpoint in relation to each other.
Call attention to each other by being opposite
whereas contrast is simply different from each
other

Oppositionblack & white

Contrast in color simplest way to create strong focal point

Tension
Implying or suggesting a sense of energy
Polaritydrawn together or pushed apart
Knot a leaf-energy has been exerted or applied
New bulb forcing out of soil
Ready to spring or snap

Tensionsomething is waiting to
happen

Variation
Dissimilarity among attributes or
characteristics.
Diversity among elements
Vary stages of development
All one color of flower, but different flowers

Proximity-combining flowers into one design

Repetition-repeating similar elements such as color
Transition-providing a gradual change from one part of a design to another

Harmony
Compatibility; a pleasing or congruent
arrangement of parts.
All parts should go together or
harmonize with each other.

Lack a sense of harmony

Harmony by added accessories which support football or homecoming theme

All component parts of a floral composition should harmonize with one another. It
is vital that the flowers in a design are compatible with one another in order to
support an overall design style.

Terra-cotta post and blush tones flowers create a casual garden ambiance for
this celebration setting. Harmony of the parts displays unity in design

Unity
--the state of being one, united, or complete
in itself.
The arrangement is seen as a whole
piece instead of only individual parts.
Oneness of purpose, thought, style, and
spirit.

Accessories
Candles
Plums, kiwi enhance an overall harmonious theme

Examples of Line and Sticks

Design Assignment