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What is floral arrangement?
It is the art of selecting and organizing flowers and foliage according to the elements and principles of design to attain a pleasing and interesting design.
It is an artistic activity and a way to express oneself creatively; county fairs offer the flower arranger an opportunity to participate in this art form
PRINCIPLES OF FLORAL ARRANGEMENT
Material
Cutting Flowers and Foliage
Successful floral arrangement begins with fresh plant materials that have been properly handled and prepared. Beauty and good composition of an arrangement is not determined by the cost or rarity of plant materials used, but by the way they are selected, cared for and arranged.
Conditioning Plant Materials
Conditioning is an important factor in successfully arranging and exhibiting cut plant materials. The purpose of conditioning is to allow the cut plant material to absorb as much water as possible. Plant material that is not conditioned appears dried out or wilted. Do not attempt to arrange flowers that have not first been properly conditioned; plant material that has not been conditioned is easily damaged in the arrangement process. Proper conditioning will also prolong the life of the arrangement.
Floral Foams
Wet floral foams such as Oasis brand hold stems in place and supply water to the flowers. Floral foams are available in wet or dry forms; wet foams are used for arranging fresh plant materials, while dry floral foam is used for dried or silk floral arrangements. Wet and dry types of floral foams are not interchangeable – their intended use is specific. Wet floral foam should not be reused because existing holes in the foam will not supply water to the stems of plant materials.
Containers
The container should have been thoroughly washed since its last use. Fill the container with water before beginning to arrange the plant material. The size of the container should be in scale with the table or location where it will be used. Remember that the larger the container, the more plant material will be needed.
Holders
A good holder should give the freedom to position stems where they are wanted and hold them in place securely. Choose a holder suitable for the style of arrangement planned, the plant materials to be used and the container to be used.
Pinpoint Holders
Pinpoint holders are most often used for line and line-mass arrangements in low bowls or shallow containers. Use a waterproof floral clay to fasten the holder to the base of the container. A heavy metal pinpoint holder is easiest to keep in place in the container.
FLORAL ARRANGEMENT STYLE
Line arrangements are adaptations of Japanese styles. The linear pattern is dominant. Line arrangements are characterized by restraint in the quantity of plant materials used, with an emphasis on the beauty of individual blooms or foliage. Line arrangements are usually bold and dramatic, with importance placed on the contrast of form and texture, with an open silhouette. Often line arrangements will have three lines or placements. Most linear arrangements have asymmetrical balance. Typically, they are viewed from the front only. Allowing some material to extend toward the front or back of the arrangement develops depth.
Line-mass arrangements combine the strong line of Japanese styles with the mass effect of European designs. Line-mass arrangements have a clean, uncluttered look, with a definite line, a well-defined mass, and plenty of open spaces. The dominant line is combined with a mass of plant material at the focal area; additional material is used to enhance and develop the linear shapes. A design combining unusual components and using more plant material than a Line arrangement. The contrast of texture, color, and line are important features.
Mass arrangements are adapted from European designs. They have a thick, full look, with a closed silhouette. Mass design uses more plant material than Line or Line-Mass designs; usually, a large amount of plant material is used. The emphasis is on the whole colorful mass of flowers and foliage, rather than on individual components. Color is important in mass arrangements. Round or mass shapes usually dominate, but spiky or linear forms are good for triangular arrangements.
FLOWER ARRANGEMENT SHAPES
CIRCLE
CIRCLE
CRESCENT
CRESCENT
SIMPLE VERTICAL
SIMPLE VERTICAL
TRIANGLE
TRIANGLE
DIAGONAL LINE
DIAGONAL LINE
SPIRAL
SPIRAL
OVAL
OVAL
MASS
MASS
DESIGN
Design is the selecting and arranging of objects and deals with the form of their composition. Good floral design is the result of a well-thought-out plan, with two aims in mind – order and beauty. Good design doesn’t just happen, there must be a relationship between all of its parts – a feeling of security, naturalness, balance, and simplicity. The floral arranger must have a basic idea, a mental picture of what they wish to create, where the arrangement will be placed, and the function it will serve. Most floral arrangements are made for a particular purpose or place. The arrangement should be suitable for its intended use. A good floral arrangement should be expressive of a theme or idea and one’s personality.
ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
Colors have different effects on the viewer. Effective use of color is important in floral arrangement design.
Light affects design in many ways. Light may change the apparent colors of materials, and enhance form, texture, or depth.
Space describes the open area around the design. Total space may be limited by restrictions imposed by the class schedule, the class description, fair rules, etc.
The primary foundation of design is a line, which creates a visual path for the eye to follow through a design. Lines also function to establish the structural framework or skeleton of a design.
The form describes the three-dimensional aspect of a design. A form may be closed – compact, massed, with few open spaces – typical of a mass design. It may also be open – with spreading parts that produce spaces between the parts - typical of a line or line-mass design.
The pattern is the design formed by solids and spaces. Individual components in a design have a pattern of their own; individual components are combined into an overall pattern.
Plant texture refers to the surface quality of plant material. Textural contrast and variety can add interest to a design. A plant’s texture may be fuzzy, glossy, smooth, rough, etc.
Select flowers and leaves of different sizes. Usually, buds and small flowers are used at the top and edges of an arrangement, while large leaves or fully opened flowers are placed low in the arrangement. A large element is often used as a focal point.
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
Balance means that the finished arrangement does not fall over or look as if it will fall over. Consider the balance from top to bottom, side to side, and front to back. Balance is a feeling of rest, security or stability. There are two types of balance – symmetrical (or formal) balance and asymmetrical (or informal) balance.
Dominance in floral arrangement is the greater force of a design element, such as more round forms, or more curved lines. Dominance may be achieved through the use of a dominant color, size, shape, or texture, or by using larger forms or stronger colors.
Accent or emphasis is used to first attract attention to the most important feature in an arrangement (focal point) and from that point to every detail in order of its importance.
Rhythm refers to movement. The swing or motion in an arrangement should create a dominant visual path so that the eye is first attracted to the focal point and then carried throughout the entire arrangement.
Contrast, or difference, is achieved by placing opposite or unlike elements together to emphasize or accentuate their differences. Contrast stimulates interest. Too much contrast divides attention.
Proportion is important in the use of color, texture, or form. Consider the amount of plant material in the container. Also, consider the height of the arrangement about its width.
Scale is the size relationship between flower and flower or between flower and container. When the variation of size is too great or too small, components are out of scale.
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