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for flower lovers
FLORAL DESIGN PRINCIPLE
BALANCE
There are two types of balance: The actual
physical balance so the design doesn't fall over, and the
visual balance, where the viewer sees the design as being
pleasing to the eye, and visually the plant material is
equal on both sides of an imaginary line down the middle of a
design.
Balance can be achieved with colour, the use of space, the visual weight of the plant materials, with symmetry with similar forms on both sides of the imaginary line, or asymmetrically, where dissimilar forms are on either side
Balance can be achieved with colour, the use of space, the visual weight of the plant materials, with symmetry with similar forms on both sides of the imaginary line, or asymmetrically, where dissimilar forms are on either side
Why bother?
If a design is not balanced it is less restful. Most people prefer a design that doesn't create tension within them and an anticipation that it is going to fall over or that something is missing.
An unbalanced design causes tension which could be the designer's intention and so do not think that every flower arrangement you make must be balanced to be successful.
An unbalanced design causes tension which could be the designer's intention and so do not think that every flower arrangement you make must be balanced to be successful.
Colour, space and weight balance
The colour is balanced between the two placements,
and the space between the two driftwood pieces is balanced.
visual and actual
The bigger piece
of driftwood visually balances the top arrangement counteracting its bulk. The hanging arrangement is actually balanced so it
floated in the right position
diagonal balance
Place the same plant material on
both sides. Colour balance is also
achieved with the green leaves being carried down
to the green moss on the base. This arrangement was
stable so it had actual balance.
Balance lesson
A diagonal line can still be balanced and is good practice to achieve actual balance.
symmetrical balance
The triangle
design style favoured in traditional floral arrangements uses
strong symmetrical balance. Each side is a mirror of
the other.
abstract balance
In an
abstract design balance does not have to radiate from
an imaginery middle line. Achieve colour
balance with the orange slab and ball and visual balance.
modern balance
A design doesn't have to exactly match on both sides to be balanced as long as the weight of the plant material is the same.
weight balance
By placing the drape a long way out from the heavy container on both sides, the composition is more visually balanced.
Out of balance
When a design is out of balance there is tension. A loop of vine on the left would have enclosed space and given a visual balance.
a different approach
Place two arrangements which are both out of balance and put them side by side and one balances the other.
Work through 6 lessons to discover 6 design principles and you will be at the top of your game.
get ahead of the class
floral design magazine principles special, June 2010, will give you a huge designing edge.
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