Principles of design

To create visually attractive floristry it is important to understand the following principles of design:

• Balance
• Proportion
• Rhythm
• Contrast
• Dominance
• Harmony

Balance
There are two types of balance:  actual and visual.  In design we are concerned with visual balance.  An arrangement can look unbalanced without actually falling over.  To achieve a good visual balance, the materials must be used and positioned with care.  It is not always necessary to use two items of equal size to achieve visual balance.  A single, large flower can be balanced by a group of smaller ones.  A large, shiny leaf, used low down in a design, looks visually heavy and can balance a group of very tall flowers.

Proportion
Proportion is the relationship of the parts of the design, the arrangement to its container and the whole composition to its setting.  Good proportion is dependent on many things:
• The visual weight of the chosen flowers and foliage.  An example of poor proportion would be very large flowers in a small container.
• The visual with of the container.
• The setting of the design.  The style and size of the design and its container will be determined by its location.

All three factors will determine the height and width of the finished design.  There are no absolute rules on proportion.

Scale
Scale concerns the sizes of the individual items within the design.  Too great a difference in size between the flower swill lead to an uncomfortable looking design.  For example, a large chrysanthemum bloom and a small freesia are two extremes of size.  Transitional material, such as spray chrysanthemums may be required to link the two together.  To produce a harmonious design, grading the sizes of the materials within the arrangement is essential.

Rhythm
Rhythm is an expression of movement, a necessary component in a design to draw the eye from one part of the design to the next.  A design which lacks rhythm is static and boring.  There are many ways of creating rhythmic appeal:
• Grouping flowers through the design gives a sense of movement and continuity.
• Curved lines create greater movement than straight ones.
• Recession, achieved by placing some flowers at lower levels than others, is also important.

Contrast
Contrast is achieved by using a variety of colors, shapes and textures, which are all important elements in a design if monotomy is to be avoided.  Carefully planning and using the Elements of Design will give the variety necessary in a perfect design.

Dominance
Dominance in a design lies in emphasizing one, or more, areas of the design above the others.  Generally in floristry, dominant areas are called focal points.  There can be more than one focal point in a design.

Large, round shapes, bold colors and shiny textures can be used to create areas of greater dominance within a design.

Harmony
When combinations of all the Principles and Elements of design have been well used, harmony will result.  It is the final achievement and their will be total agreement between all parts of the design.