The Principles and Elements of Design These are the building blocks of all good floral design
ELEMENTS OF DESIGN The Elements of Design are those you can see and touch LINE FORM COLOUR TEXTURE SPACE
LINE Lines may be thick, thin, vertical, horizontal, diagonal, curved, zig zag, long,short or a combination of all. The purpose of lines is to create: shape a pattern movement optical illusion space
FORM Form is a three dimensional shape, often referred to as area, mass or volume. Form has height, width and depth. A shape is two dimensional having only height and width The four basic forms are: cube sphere cylinder cone
TEXTURE Texture is the surface quality of a material as perceived by sight (visual) or by touch (tactile) We describe texture using terms such as: smooth,rough,spiky, furry,velvety,silky
SPACE Space is the area in, around and between the design: defined by the three dimensional area occupied by the composition. Positive space is the planned area in a design occupied by flowers, foliage or other objects. Negative space is the planned areas in a design, devoid of flowers, foliage or other objects, yet essential to a composition.
COLOUR Colour is an important element in every design There are 3 primary colours Red Yellow - Blue There are 3 secondary colours Green- Orange-Purple Warm colours (Advancing) Reds, oranges, yellows, browns Cool colours (Receding) Blues, greens, purples Neutral colours Black, white and grey
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN The concepts used to organise and arrange the structure of design Diversity/Variety Repetition Contrast Proportion Direction Dominance Balance Rhythm Unity/Harmony Order
Diversity/Variety Variety & Diversity can be found in: Types of material Colour Texture Line Form
Repetition Every design will benefit from repetition of one or more elements in a design This can be achieved using: Line Form Colour Texture
Contrast Contrast is the use of opposites eg; dark & light, rough & smooth, large & small, thick & thin etc; It adds interest to a design and can be achieved using Colour Line Form Size Texture
Proportion Proportion is achieved by using the correct relationship in size, quantity and degree of emphasis of all parts of the design and its surroundings. Proportion should be considered in; Materials to one another The arrangement to the container The overall design to the space in which it is placed The person wearing it
Direction Direction is achieved by the use of different lines creating movement that guides the eye into and through the design. Lines can radiate out from or into a focal area or direct your eye to a point of interest or a resting place.
Dominance Dominance is the visual emphasis of one or more elements in a composition. It is important that the most dominant element creates a strong focus and greater emphasis in the main area of the design.
Balance Balance creates equilibrium and three dimensional stability in a design. There are 2 types of balance Symmetrical (Formal) which occurs when materials are arranged equally on both sides of an imaginary axis down the centre of the design Asymmetrical (Informal) which occurs when both sides of the arrangement are different and unequal yet both sides of the imaginary axis maintain similar visual weight There is also; Visual balance- does the arrangement appear to be balanced Actual balance is the arrangement physically stable/ will it stand up
Rhythm Rhythm is the visual movement created throughout the design by the use of repetition or gradation in the use of lines, forms, colours and textures
Unity/Harmony Unity & Harmony is achieved with the use of a combination of compatible materials and components. This cohesive relationship of all parts will create a wholeness and oneness within the design and within its
Order Order is achieved when all the Elements and Principles of design have been used correctly.