Design Principles and
Elements
Design Principles
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Harmony
Unity
Emphasis
Proportion and Scale
Focal Point
Rhythm
Balance
Harmony
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Blending of the components of the design
Should be a pleasing blend of color, texture,
shape, size, and line
Unity
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All parts of design achieve a oneness in idea
or impression
Establishment of a central focal point
Can repeat colors in the design but do not
layer flowers of similar color or texture
Emphasis
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Closely related to the focal point
Focuses the attention on one feature and
keeps everything else secondary
Focal point can create an emphasis in a
arrangement
Can be achieved by use of one color, texture,
or kind of flower
Proportion
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Interrelationship of all parts of arrangements
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Flowers
Foliage
Accessories
Container
Should be 1 ½ times the height of a tall container or
1 ½ times the width of low a container
Proportioning Stem Lengths
Proportioning stem
length to low container
Proportioning stem
length to tall container
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Scale
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Relationship of the arrangement and the area
where it is to be displayed
Focal Point
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The area that attracts
and holds the interest
of the viewer
Dominates the design
Also called the center
of interest
Location where stems
or main lines meet
Focal Point
Strength of Focal Point
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Dictated by style of arrangement
Round arrangements generally do not have a
focal point – viewed from all sides
Modern arrangements – strong focal points;
lines should dominate
One Focal Point in A Design
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Bring the main lines of the design to a point
Place largest flower at this point
Concentrate the plant material at this point
Place darkest or brightest color at this point
Contrast colors around this point
Place unusually shaped flower at this point
aka form flower
Rhythm
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Movement of the eye through the design
toward or away from the focal point
Flow of lines, textures, and colors that evokes
sense of emotion
Stimulates eye moments on the arrangement
Created by repetition, radiation, progression,
and transition
Repetition (cont)
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Repetition of leading color, strongest line, or
dominant form
Colors or texture of container may be
repeated
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Crystal works well with delicate flowers
Heavy pottery works well with coarse flowers
Radiation (cont)
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Attempting to make all stems appear as
though originating from a central axis
Point of origin is focal point of design
Creates a strong sense of unity in the
arrangement
Progression (cont)
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Involves a gradual change by increasing or
decreasing one or more qualities
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Size
Color
Texture of material used
Creates movement in a certain direction
Transition(cont)
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Making gradual change to harmonize unlike
things
Blending of colors, line patterns, and textures
Helps to avoid a sectioning design
Should also exist between container and
arrangement
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Edge of container should be covered
Balance
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Balance is the physical and visual stability of
a floral arrangement.
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Physical or mechanical balance refers to
the physical stability of the arrangement.
Visual balance refers to the visual appearance of
the arrangement.
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Balance
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Two types of visual balance are:
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Symmetrical balance
Asymmetrical balance
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Symmetrical Balance
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For a symmetrically balanced floral
arrangement:
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An equal amount of
materials exists on
either side of an
imaginary central
vertical axis
through the center
of the arrangement.
Central vertical axis
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Symmetrical Balance
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One side of the arrangement is a near mirror
image of the other side.
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Symmetrical Balance
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The focal point exists at the center of the
arrangement, near the base of the vertical axis.
Focal point
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Symmetrical Balance
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This visual balance is referred to as
formal balance and has a formal
appearance.
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Asymmetrical Balance
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For an asymmetrically balanced floral
arrangement:
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The visual weight
on either side of the
arrangement is not
the same.
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Asymmetrical Balance
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The imaginary vertical axis is to the left or right of
the center of the arrangement, balancing the
visual weight accordingly.
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Asymmetrical Balance
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Visual balance is
achieved by creating
a high vertical line on
one side of the
arrangement and a
low horizontal line on
the other side.
Vertical line
Horizontal line
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Asymmetrical Balance
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The focal point exists
at the bottom of the
arrangement, near
the base of the
vertical axis, which is
off-centered.
Focal point
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Asymmetrical Balance
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This visual balance is referred to as informal
balance and has a more informal and natural
appearance.
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Establishing Visual Balance
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To establish visual balance in an
arrangement, position larger flowers with
bold, distinctive shapes and darker colors
lower in the arrangement.
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Establishing Visual Balance
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Place darker, heavier colors nearer to the
center of the arrangement.
Light
Dark
Light
Dark
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Establishing Visual Balance
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Smaller flowers with lighter colors and more
delicate textures appear lighter in weight.
Therefore, place these flowers toward the
edges and perimeter of the arrangement.
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Design Elements
Form
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Shape or silhouette of arrangement
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Circular
Triangular
Linear
Geometric shapes, circles, triangles all have
a European influence
Linear arrangements have an Asian influence
Space
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Two types of space exist within a floral
arrangement.
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Positive space is
the space occupied
by the flowers and
foliage.
Negative space refers
to the empty areas
that exist between the
floral materials.
Negative space
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Space
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The use of negative space allows the
designer to enhance and draw attention to
particular forms or lines within a design.
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Texture
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Surface appearance of flowers, foliage,
container, and accessories (ribbons,
balloons, etc.)
Textures
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Fine or course
Smooth or rough
Shiny or dull
Satiny or velvety
Texture
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Generally referred to as
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fine
medium
coarse
Rose: fine and smooth
Zinnia: coarse and rough
Texture and its Emotional Response
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Fine textures and smooth shiny surfaces
elicit elegance and formality
Coarse textures and rough or dull surfaces
elicit informality and casualness
Contrasting textures can call attention to
themselves
Line
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Provides a visual path for the eye to follow
Creates motion in the design
Is the framework/skeleton that holds the
arrangement together
To Create Lines
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Use linear materials
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Branches
Line flowers- long spikes of blossoms with florets
blooming along them
Line Sets Emotional Tone
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Can imply swift motion, repose, reverence, or
gentleness
Vertical lines can imply strength, dignity, or formality
Curved lines can imply a feminine dimension
Horizontal lines can imply informality
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Makes people feel restful
Usually used for table arrangements
Lines (Cont.)
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To maintain movement – never break lines
Lines should appear to originate from one
point
Line Flowers
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Line Foliage
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Color
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We will discuss color on Monday.