Lessons; esthetics 

Form and design; Introduction

This page contains following subjects:

• Composition and form
• Designing
• Gulden rules
• The binding point

Composition and form

The making of a flower arrangement is based on the designing. It is the play together with the different elements we use to create an attractive harmony. Question by this process is: What is a designing process, what are form and color elements and how can we combine them together. We can divide design in:

Applied (formal) design;
This is based on rules for a specific style, such as a classical biedermeier. To know the rules of the style and the specific mechanic is fundamental to understand flower art. This (traditional) way of flower arranging has the name formal design.

Free design; (informal design) 
We try with the help of what we know about design, composition, and with the help of techniques, started from our own creativity, a vision, a message or a emotion to express. Aesthetic, beauty, meaning and so on must be seen in the final result. Free design needs a thorough knowledge of the design principles, the relation between the elements we use, and experience in arranging flowers. The name of this way of flower arranging is informal design. The form, composition determines the face of the arrangement. When this is not correct people often do not like the arrangement.

Designing

A few principles explained:

Balance
We are looking for the ideal balance and composition. We need balance between the different elements of the arrangement. The more exiting the balance, the more the arrangement is expressive. The balance can be stiff (restful) or dynamic.

Composition
There are many possibilities for composition, but most used are: vegetative and decorative. Within those we see as most important: linear, parallel and combinations.

Vegetative
Means we arrange according nature let flowers grow. Ideal is to create a flower arrangement exactly to the ecological situation.

Decorative
Are all arrangements when the materials are used in a not natural way. Composition is more important and flowers will be used as elements of color, form, texture or line. Geometric flower arrangements are decorative, but sometimes also linear and parallel.

Linear style
Is characterized by line and space. The design can be with straight or elegant lines or with combinations of both. Also crossing lines are possible.

Parallel style
Is characterized when two or more lines have the same direction. It is not important if the lines are straight or elegant. Often a parallel composition in the same time is linear.

Golden rules

Rules for the height, width and depth are much depending of the structure and texture or the materials and the color combination. The visual weight of the forms and color plays an important role, as well as the axes in the design. Of course we need a strong feeling for harmony to find an ideal balance.

The golden rule is an ideal formula by designing and often used. We know the Modulor and the golden rule. You must know by some style arrangements there are traditional rules and proportions. In general we can use a formula of 3:5 or 5:8.

The golden rule learn us that if we multiply with 0,618 the two parts of the line have an ideal proportion, example: 1000 x 0,618 = 618.

382                                          618

----------------------------------------------------

1000

You can notice this is about the same as the proportion of 3:5.

The binding point (central point)

An arrangement can have one or more binding points (central points, or focus points). Even there can be no binding points at all.

Binding point on the horizon.	Binding point below the horizon (shrub form).

Binding point above the horizon, (tree form).	More binding points.

Place of the binding point in a flat container.

  back to index lessons

Last update of this page 23.05.2004