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