What is a floral design?

The art of organizing the design elements inherent in plant materials, container, and accessories according to the principles of design.

                           Principles of Design

Principles of design are rules and guidelines used by the floral designer to create a beautiful composition. 

Some of these are:

-Proportion                -Symmetrical balance            -Asymmetrical balance      

-Balance                      -Open balance                         -Rhythm

-Physical balance      -Dominance                             -Harmony & unity

-Visual balance          -Emphasis                                -Fragrance

                                         Proportion

The comparative relationship in size, quantity, and degree of emphasis among components within composition; the relationship of one portion to another, or of one portion to the whole.

                                    Balance

Balance in a flower arrangement's equilibrium and equality in weight, both physical and visual.

                                Physical Balance

Physical balance refers to the distribution of materials and, therefore, weight in an arrangement.

                               Visual Balance

Visual balance refers to whether the design appears balanced to the eye. There are three types of visual balance, symmetrical, asymmetrical and open balance.

                            Symmetrical Balance

There are two types of balance in floral design, physical and visual balance. Symmetrical balance is when both sides of the arrangement have the same quantity of materials, like in a mirror, these designs are more formal and traditional.

                             Open Balance

Open balance is unique as it is neither symmetrical or asymmetrical, for example, designs that incorporate parallel or radial groupings of flowers.