FLORAL DESIGN

Objective: Understand principles of floral

design techniques.

DESIGN PRINCIPLES

1.Balance

2.Focal point

3.Proportion

4.Scale

5.Accent

FLORAL DESIGN PRINCIPLES

6. Repetition

7. Rhythm

8. Harmony

9. Unity

The flower size and

container flow together

and complement each

other

BALANCE

Creates the accent and

interest to catch the eye

FOCAL POINT

Keeps relative size,

color and texture of the

flowers to create a

pleasing arrangement

Floral designs should

be at least 1 ½ to 2

times the height or

width of the container

PROPORTION

The design must be in

proportion to the

surrounding area where

it is placed

SCALE

Catches and draws

attention to the design

ACCENT

Accentuates the

flowers and colors by

repeating their use

throughout the design

REPETITION

Creates a sense of

continuity or flowing

together

RHYTHM

When all parts flow

together to give a

completed look to the

arrangement

HARMONY

When the flowers

complement each other

through color, size and

shape

UNITY

DESIGN SHAPES

1. Round

2. Oval

3. Fan

4. Triangle

5. Right Angle

6. Inverted T

FLORAL DESIGN SHAPES

7. Vertical

8. Horizontal

9. Diagonal

10.Crescent

11.Hogarth Curve

Floral arrangement is

round in shape

ROUND

Floral arrangement is

oval in shape

OVAL

Floral arrangement is

fan or semicircle in

shape

FAN

Floral arrangement

may be equilateral

triangle with all three

sides the same length or

asymmetrical triangle

with sides of different

lengths

TRIANGLE

Flower arrangement

makes an L shape

RIGHT ANGLE

The flowers make an

upside down T

INVERTED T

Floral arrangement is

straight up in a bud vase

It is tall, vertical and

narrow

VERTICAL

Floral arrangement is

long horizontal and short

vertical

HORIZONTAL

Floral arrangement is

half way between

vertical and horizontal

DIAGONAL

Floral arrangement is

shaped like a quarter

moon

CRESCENT

Floral arrangement

that is shaped like an S

curve

HOGARTH CURVE

FLORAL TOOLS

1.Floral Foam

2.Styrofoam

3.Wire

4.Wire Cutters

5.Picks

6.Floral Tape

7.Shears

FLORAL DESIGN TOOLS

8. Scissors

9. Ribbon

10.Floral knife

11.Containers

12.Foil

Used to hold flowers in a

container

Fresh flower floral foam• Absorbs water• Soak it in water prior

to starting your arrangement

Dry flower floral foam • Does not absorb water• Used for dried or silk

flowers • Very dense

FLORAL FOAM

Coarse in texture

Used mostly for silk

flowers

STYROFOAM

Supports flower stems or creates artificial stems

Higher gauge=thinner wire• Ranges from #6- #30 gauge

#22 gauge used for heavy flowers

#24-26 is good general purpose wire, used for

securing bows

#28 gauge used for average weight flowers

Paddle wire: (on wooden or plastic spool) used to wire

pine cones and accessories to wreaths

WIRE

Cut wire

WIRE CUTTERS

Wooden picks with

wire increase the stem

length and attach bows

or ribbon used in the

design

PICKS

Waterproof tape is used to

attach floral foam to the

container

Floral tape (stem wrap) is a

tacky tape used to wrap wire

Conceals wire and stems

when creating boutonnieres

and corsages

FLORAL TAPE

Cut woody stemmed

flowers/plants

SHEARS

Cut ribbon or fabric

SCISSORS

Sold in bolts by number size and texture

Number size• #1.5=5/16”• #2=7/16”• #3=9/16” (commonly used for corsages and

boutonnieres) • #5=7/8” (commonly used for potted plants) • #9= 1 5/16” (commonly used for potted plants) • #40=2 ½” (commonly used for wreath bows)• #100=4” (commonly used for funeral sprays)

RIBBON

Texture • Satin • Organza• Mesh• Burlap • Raffia• Prints solid• Paper• Wired and unwired

RIBBON

Cut flower stems

FLORAL KNIFE

Range from bud vases

to large containers

Can be made of glass,

plastic, glazed pots and

light weight liners

CONTAINERS

Paper to wrap potted

plant

Sold in pre-cut sheets

or rolls

FOIL

DESIGN TECHNIQUES

DESIGN TECHNIQUES1. Select a design shape

2. Select appropriate container

3. Cut floral foam & soak in water for 20 minutes (if needed)

4. Set foam in container and secure (if needed)

5. Select filler and arrange to cover the foam. Extend at least 1 ½ times

the width of the container

6. Insert flower to create desired height

7. Insert additional flowers to make the design outline and focal point

8. Add other flowers as needed

9. Arrange filler flowers last to give a completed look