Styles, Elements and Principles of Floral Design.
For this series, we will look at the basic aspects of crafting floral arrangements. We'll also dive into the features of designing and putting together flower arrangements.
In Part 1, we explored the know-hows in processing, storing, and maintaining flowers. In Part 2, we went into the typical flowers and plants used for decor. We also discussed how-tos in creating gorgeous arrangements in an efficient way.
Here in Part 3, we'll compile everything we learned into a clear and practical guide. We'll explore the origins of floral design all the way to modern forms today. As budding florists, you'll get everything you need to know right here!
Interested in programs on designing floral arrangements? We recommend schools like the American Institute of Floral Designers (www.aifd.org). We also encourage you to check out the Society of American Florists (www.safnow.org).
Three Principal Styles of Floral Design.
Several styles of floral design came about from diverse cultures around the world. Plenty of florists continue to carry out these traditions in new and relevant ways.
The first key style of floral design is the Oriental style. It highlights the lines of the arrangement. It pursues unity and balance in combining flowers and foliage.
Next is the traditional or Western style. It emphasizes the look and use of flowers as a whole. It leans towards uneven compositions that still inspire rhythm and creativity.
Coming in last is the modern floral style. It ensued as a blend of Eastern and Western styles. It builds on the form and lines of the Oriental style. But it also allows florists to express their creative talent through unique design.
Elements and Principles of Floral Design.
As florists, we have our special styles. Our customers also have varied tastes and needs. But for every arrangement, every florist needs to feature a few basic elements. This way, you can create top-notch bouquets that still fit your client's demands.
Here is the lineup of important factors to remember:.
Design.
Every design starts off with producing a visual and theme. Are you going with a chic finish or a rustic appeal? Should your bouquet have a showy look or a muted one? It is essential to consider these questions before designing your arrangement.
Proportion and Scale.
These two elements come hand in hand when you plan floral arrangements. They're especially helpful when you prepare for large affairs and venues.
Proportion is about the relationship between the sizes of features in your design. This involves your flowers, plants, and vases.
Scale is about the location of your flowers in the desired space. For example, will your arrangement act as a centerpiece for a table or decor for the whole venue? This will help you see if your design fits the space where you set it.
Balance.
This principle focuses on the form and composition of your floral design. Whatever your desired style is, every arrangement must have a sense of balance.
To achieve this, your bouquet should have an element of equal color, texture, or weight on each side. Flowers and accessories need to balance each other well in creative ways.
Rhythm.
This element brings life to your design! It creates flow and movement that captures attention. It's all about aligning flowers based on their shape and form. Through this, it pulls the eye to the focus of the design all the way to its edges.
Emphasis.
Main flowers are the stars of your show! They act as the center of your design. This is where accents and foliage seem to rise from, creating a fantastic illusion.
This principle is about bringing focus to your main flowers. You can create emphasis by contrasting colors and kinds of blooms. This means you choose accents and foliage to complement the main flowers!
Harmony and Unity.
Every floral design needs to be relevant to the event and theme. It must ensure a harmonious blend of varying colors. It also needs to look unified with its vase and placement.
For a more detailed guide on the use of color and design in floristry, see our next article!
More topics about Color Theory in Floristry.