The Elements and Principles of Flower Design

By Lisa Freeman

The 8 Elements of Design are to do with tangible and/or visual qualities

          1) Color - the result of light striking an object, and being reflected to the eye. Colors appear differently, depending on the quality of light.

          2) Form - the 3 dimensional aspect of an object. All floral designs are combinations of various forms and are the strongest visual symbols in a design. They are either closed (solids) or open (spreading with space within).

          3) Light - the illumination necessary for vision. Light can modify forms, affect colors and textures, create shadows, or convey moods.

          4) Line - a 1 dimensional, visual path through a design, giving it rhythm and direction.

          5) Pattern - a natural or man-made composition created by lines, forms, and the spaces between them.

          6) Size - the perceived or visual dimensions of a component rather than actual dimensions.

          7) Space - the open area in and around a design or object.

          8) Texture - the surface quality. All design components have textural qualities that add interest to a floral design by calling attention to an area or relieving monotony.

There are 6 Principles of Design. They are the basic standards used to judge all visual art. Their correct application is necessary for well-executed designs.

          1) Balance - actual balance means an object remains upright. In floral design, visual balance is needed so objects appear balanced from top to bottom, side to side, or front to back.

          2) Contrast - the placement of unlike characteristics of a single element together to emphasize their differences. Strong contrasts can be softened by using subtle changes between the 2 extremes.

          3) Dominance - the emphasis or impact of 1 component over another, implying subordination. The dominant feature in designs is sometimes known as the center of interest.

          4) Proportion - the relationship between amount and quantity of 1 area to another. It is the ratio between the components as they relate to each other in the design and the ratio between the design and the total space.

          5) Rhythm - the dominant visual movement throughout a design. Rhythm can be created by repetition of form, color, or texture in a 

                              linear direction.

          6) Scale - the size relationship of 1 object in a design to another. Scale differs from proportion in that scale deals with individual parts while proportion is a pleasing ratio between overall areas and amounts.

These Elements and Principles are always good to review every now and then. I hope this helps you to understand more about flower design and I want to encourage more of you to join in our club's flower design practices each month. The classes are all listed in your yearbook. Doing any kind of flower arrangement brings your garden inside where you can enjoy it, see it, and appreciate it up close.

Here's to flowers!!!