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Applying the Principles of Design

© Kirk Johnson

Last month I completed my series of articles about the principles of design - balance, proportion, rhythm, contrast, dominance and scale. In this series I have been trying to explain the principles of design by relating garden design to interior design and especially to floral design. I will now try to show how the principles of design are applied by critiquing my floral designs from a small flower show that was held on Mother's Day weekend. The judges didn't write any comments on the entry tags, but I basically agreed with all of their decisions.

I am copying the description of each design as it appeared in the schedule for the show and then I will try to explain why each design succeeded or failed because of the design's strengths and weaknesses. Design is design and the principles of design govern all design. I am hoping that because floral designs are less complex than garden designs, the principles may be easier to understand by looking at floral designs.

There weren't a lot of designers participating in this show and I was rushing around doing a number of designs. I would have done a better job if I had focused on a few designs, but my mistakes may help you to understand how the principles of design work.

The theme for this show was "Celebrating 150 Years of Pioneers". The show was held in Curry County, Oregon.

Please click on the links below to see the floral designs.

Section A: All Fresh Plant Material. Eligible for the Tricolor Award

Heritage Flowers - old fashioned traditional mass design, accessories permitted.

Bridging the Rogue - 2 containers.

Curry Green: All fresh green material, accessories permitted.

Azalea Festival: Featuring azaleas in moderate abstract design.

Section B: All Dried Material. Eligible for the Award of Distinction

Earliest Settlers: Arrangement with accessories used by early settlers.

Pistol River Pioneers: Grouping of Objects and some plant material by which a story is told or a theme interpreted.

Agness Gathering: Using weeds, grasses and/or weathered wood in a frame.

This section included a design entitled "Battle Rock Memories" which I didn't do.

Section C: Designer's Choice of Fresh and/or Dry Plant Material, Accessories Permitted. Eligible for Designer's Choice Award.

Kalmiopsis Wilderness: Emphasizing the use of color.

Up the Winchuck: Emphasizing Motion.

Cape Blanco Lighthouse: Creative design emphasizing white.

Floras Lake: Creative design using more than 5 colors.

Section D: Miniatures - Not to Exceed 5 Inches in Any Direction.

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