Focal Point and Rhythm

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Focal Point and Rhythm
Modified by the GA Agriculture Education
Curriculum Office Revised by Robbie Buchanan May
2007
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Focal Point

• Center of interest and visual activity

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Focal point

• Dominates and calls attention to the entire design

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Focal Point

• Main lines of a design converge at the focal area

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• A design can have more than 1 focal point, but
  too many can cause confusion

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Ways to Create Focal Point
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Color

• Simplest way to create a focal point
• Bright or intense colors attract immediate
  attention
• Contrasting colors can also create a focal area

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Size

• Larger blooms draw the eye toward them
• Contrast smaller and larger flowers to create a
  focal area

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Shape and Pattern

• Interesting flower shapes, such as a bird of
  paradise, draw attention
• Interesting foliage can help create or emphasize
  a design

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Spacing

• Placing flowers close together provides emphasis
  for a focal point

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Texture

• Texture of some flowers and/or foliage can create
  a focal area when combined with smoother materials

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Accessories

• Accessories such as bows, candles, and figurines
  can be used for emphasis

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Line Direction

• Lines converging to a point can draw the eye to
  that point
• Crossing stems will cause confusion

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Directional Facing

• Turning the heads of flowers can increase visual
  interest toward the focal point
• Flowers can face either toward or away from the
  focal area

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Framing

• Encircling the perimeter of a design with a
  branch or stem of foliage in order to draw the
  eye toward the center

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Isolation

• Isolating one flower or group of flowers from the
  rest of the design draws the eye toward that point

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Rhythm

• Flow or movement through a design caused by the
  recurrence of elements
• Repetition of elements causes rhythm
• Radiating lines and transitions throughout the
  design create rhythm

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Ways to Create Rhythm
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Repetition

• Color repetition has the most impact in moving
  the eye throughout a design
• Repetition of textures is a subtle way of
  achieving rhythm

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Radiating Lines

• Placing flowers and foliage so that they radiate
  from a central point and draw the eye outward

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Transition

• Transition in a design such as transition of
  color draws the eye outward