Design, Harmony and Unity

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Design, Harmony and Unity

• Chapter 2

Robbie Buchanan May 2007
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Vocabulary words

• Composition
• Design (noun)
• Design (verb)
• Harmony
• Proximity

• Repetition
• Style
• Theme
• Transition
• Unity

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Terra cotta pots and blush-toned flowers create
a casual garden ambiance for this celebration
setting. Harmony of the parts displays unity
in the design.
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Design

• The word Design, when used as a verb, means to
  plan and carry out a project in a skillful way.

• An arrangement of parts, details, forms, colors,
  and other elements should produce a complete and
  artistic unit - often called a composition and
  design.

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Three activities to stimulate the design process

• 1 - Thinking It is necessary to think about
  the requirements of a particular flower
  arrangement.

• What are the visual effects, style and theme?
• What will be the placement?
• What are the physical limitations size, color,
  shape?
• When is the design needed?
• And where will it be used?

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2 Observing

• Careful observation of the work of other floral
  artists provides a basis for creating your own
  original floral style.

• Study all periods and different countries. We
  benefit from the what other designers have done.
  
• Look at Floral Magazines.
• Visit Floral Shops
• Look at designs you like and figure out why you
  like it.
• Look closely at designs that you do not like and
  find out why.

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3 - Practicing

• Practice Makes Perfect
• Gaining experience in the actual construction
  process and finding solutions to design problems
  are vital to the entire process of design.

• You can volunteer in a florist shop,
• practice with flowers at home and here at
  school,
• attend workshops and floral classes offered by
  the GA State Florist Association or Garden
  Clubs, etc.

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• As you gain more and more experience as a floral
  artist, you will increase in confidence in
  expressing your own style of design.

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Style and Composition

• Style a unique way of presenting
• The type or expression of a design
• A time period, ex. Victorian Style
• A region, ex. Japan or Europe
• The purpose, function or message of a floral
  arrangement.

• Asking yourself what style is needed ? before
  beginning construction of a floral bouquet will
  expedite the design process as well as the
  gathering of supplies to make the floral
  composition.

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Composition

• Is defined as putting together a unified
  harmonious whole by combining parts or elements
  using an idea or theme.

• You must select the parts according to the
  purpose for which the arrangement will be used.

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These questions are important considerations in
planning and constructing a floral design

• For what purpose is the arrangement going to be
  used?
• Does the arrangement need to be made for a
  special occasion, or does it need to match a
  predetermined theme?
• What is the size of the room and the location in
  the room in which the design will be placed?
• From what distance will the arrangement be
  viewed?
• At what level will the composition be viewed?

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Harmony

• Is the wise selection of individual parts to
  form a floral composition.

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• The principle of harmony is essential ingredient
  in floral design a lack of harmony is
  disturbing.

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To study the structure of a floral composition as
it relates to harmony, first it is necessary to
look at the requirements for the bouquet. Ask
these questions to get a feel for harmony

• What mood and theme is needed formal,
  sophisticated, informal, natural, cute, funny,
  period style, contemporary, special occasion,
  season, or holiday?
• What size, shape, texture, and color are needed
  for the various parts to match this theme?
• After selecting the parts, do they all go well
  together?
• Are they in tune with one another?
• Do added accessories add to the theme?

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• A feeling of harmony is exhibited in
• this buffet design. The design style, shape,
  flowers and added accessories enhance and support
  a football or homecoming party theme.

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• All the component parts of a floral composition
  should somehow harmonize with one another. It is
  vital that the flowers in a design are compatible
  with one another in order to support an overall
  design style.

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• Accessories are often important additions in
  floral arrangements. The candles, grapes, plums,
  and kiwi in these party designs repeat colors and
  enhance an overall harmonious theme.

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• Harmony is ultimately achieved when the
  arrangement blends and looks correct in style and
  placement with its setting or location.

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Unity

• Related to harmony, but slightly different, is
  the idea of unity. The word Unity is defined as
  the state of being one, united, or complete in
  itself.

• Unity means that the whole composition must be
  predominant over its individual parts. You must
  see the whole before the pieces of the design.

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• Unity in floral design refers to the completed
  arrangement or the whole being more important
  or predominant, over the individual parts.
  
• This tropical centerpiece demonstrates unity as a
  result of harmonious parts.

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• Three important ways of achieving unity are
  proximity (combining flowers into one design),
  repetition (repeating similar elements such as
  color throughout a design), and transition
  (providing a gradual change from one part of a
  design to another).

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• An overwhelming desire for harmony and unity can
  result in an arrangement that is uninteresting,
  dull, and boring.

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Variety is the Spice of Life Ways to avoid
monotony in designs

• Repeat colors, but use different values and
  intensities.
• Repeat shapes but at the same time use different
  sizes or use similar flower types in different
  colors.
• Adding a strong focal point or a striking accent
  area within a bouquet can relieve monotony.
• Vary the outside shape of a floral design so that
  it so not geometrically stiff.

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• A geometrically stiff design appears more relaxed
  and natural with some variation on the outside
  perimeters
• A unified appearance with added variety is
  achieved

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Summary

• The procedure of design is a planned process that
  involves thinking, observing and practicing.
• These activities will stimulate the design
  process and your sense of style by increasing
  your awareness and experience.
• The creation of a certain style is directly
  related to the parts or elements selected to form
  a floral composition, which is the organization
  of parts into a harmonious whole.

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Summary Continued . . .

• You can achieve this harmony and unity in your
  designs through the conscious, wise selection of
  parts
• These parts which include the container,
  flowers, foliage, and accessories will together
  support a desired theme, mood, or style, and
  result in a harmonious and unified design

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• In preparation for the quiz define the following
  Vocabulary words, using your notes.

• Composition
• Design (noun)
• Design (verb)
• Harmony
• Proximity

• Repetition
• Style
• Theme
• Transition
• Unity

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Match Game QUIZ Part 1

• Composition
• Design (verb)
• Transition
• Style
• Proximity

• To plan and carry out a project in a skillful
  way.
• Combining flowers into one design
• A unique way of presenting, the type or
  expression of a design
• Is defined as putting together a unified
  harmonious whole by combining parts or elements
  using an idea or theme.
• Providing a gradual change from one part of a
  design to another

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Match Game QUIZ Part 2

• Harmony
• Unity
• Theme
• Design (noun)
• Repetition

• An arrangement of parts, details, forms, colors,
  and other elements
• Is the wise selection of individual parts to
  form a floral composition.
• repeating similar elements such as color
  throughout a design
• the state of being one, united, or complete in
  itself.
• The matter of central concern that is developed
  throughout the room, party, or composition.

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Match Game QUIZ Part 1 KEY

• Composition
• Design (verb)
• Transition
• Style
• Proximity

• D. Is defined as putting together a unified
  harmonious whole by combining parts or elements
  using an idea or theme.
• A. To plan and carry out a project in a skillful
  way.
• E. Providing a gradual change from one part of a
  design to another
• C. A unique way of presenting, the type or
  expression of a design
• B. Combining flowers into one design

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Match Game QUIZ Part 2 KEY

• Harmony
• Unity
• Theme
• Design (noun)
• Repetition

• G. Is the wise selection of individual parts to
  form a floral composition.
• I. The state of being one, united, or complete
  in itself.
• J. The matter of central concern that is
  developed throughout the room, party, or
  composition.
• F. An arrangement of parts, details, forms,
  colors, and other elements
• H. Repeating similar elements such as color
  throughout a design