Elements of Floral DesignThe directly observable
components, ingredients, and physical
characteristics of a design.
Elements of Floral Design
LineFormSpace Texture
PatternFragranceSizeColor
LineThe vital visual path that directs eye movement through a composition.
A line is simply the distance between two points
Line directions have meanings
Vertical LineVertical lines - stress height and suggest power and strength
Horizontal Line Horizontal lines - stress width and are peaceful and calm, provide a sense of stability
Diagonal LineDiagonal line - lively and energetic, causing more eye movement. Use sparingly
Curved LineCurved line - suggest motion, but are softer, more comforting. Eye moves quickly through design.
Form The shape or configuration of an
individual component of the composition the overall, three – dimensional, geometric shape or configuration of a floral composition.
Form is essentially shape Every component of a flower
arrangement carries with it some form.
Forms of flower arrangements
Space The area in, around, and
between the components of the design, defined by the three-dimensional area occupied by the composition. Positive space Negative space
Negative Space The planned area within a
composition that is devoid of any materials: essentially, empty space.
Positive Space The portion of a composition which is
physically occupied by something… a flower, a branch, a container, or some solid object.
Void The term void is used to describe
empty space that serves to visually separate areas of positive space.
Texture The surface quality of a
material, as perceived by sight or touch.
Every component of a floral design possesses some surface quality, whether it is smooth, coarse, waxy, rough, delicate, or velvety.
In floral design, textures are combined in certain ways in order to create interest and/or unity in the design.
Smooth Having a surface free from
irregularities, roughness, or projections
Coarse Consisting of large particles; not fine
in texture
Waxy Smooth and lustrous soft surface
Rough Marked by inequalities, ridges, or
projections on the surface
Delicate Fine in texture, quality, fragile, easily
damaged, frail
Velvety Something suggesting the smooth
surface of velvet, softness.
Just as with the other elements of design, the kinds and amounts of texture variations within a floral design are determined by the choices of the designer, always with an eye for harmony.
Too many different textures in one arrangement can be distracting.
PatternA repeated combination of
line, form, color, texture, and/or space.
The silhouette of a flower or an arrangement as observed against its background, including solids and spaces.
A pattern is a composite of features resulting in a decorative design of natural or artistic origin.
Patterns enhance the beauty of the flower or the design
We see patterns all around us
The concept of repetition is important in that design elements placed in a repeated pattern can generate a sense of rhythm as
well as interest.
FragranceA sweet or pleasing odor,
perceived by the sense of smell
Almost anyone, when presented with a bouquet
will bring it immediately to his or her nose to see how good it might smell
SizeThe physical dimensions of line, form, or space
One of the first considerations in floral design
The sizes of the selected flowers must be right for the arrangement
The composition itself must be an appropriate size for its surroundings
Size is the element from which the principles of proportion and scale are derived.
Small Large
Color The visual response of the eye to
reflected rays of light Most important design element Optical sensation, originating in the
brain’s perception of light energy reflected to the eye from a pigmented surface.
Emotional response
Color is the first thing you see when looking at a flower arrangement.