Basic Design "At Home With Flowers"

UNIT 1  Line-Mass Design, part two      class notes, page 3

Mass-line design is of American origin and is probably the most popular and adaptable design for modern homes. A mass-line design is recognized as having an open silhouette, a pleasing outline and organized placement of materials resulting in a predetermined form.  Pleasing outline and orderly arrangement of materials, placed to emphasize depth, are typical aspects of mass-line composition.

Principles of Design
Balance
Rhythm
Dominance
Contrast
Proportion
Scale

Elements of Design
Line
Color
Light
Texture
Pattern
Form
Size
Space

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Placement

Placement of lines and forms control the degree of visual depth found within a design.  These structural elements control eye movement in both vertical and horizontal directions, stopping and starting according to placement and physical characteristics of the various lines.  They can also be used to direct the eye in and out, back and forth, through the design.  In this way, both visual and actual depth perception is controlled.

The lines derive their beauty from the natural characteristics of the plant material and form the overall pattern for the line-mass design.  The massed material that forms the focal area provides weight and color, affecting balance, while still maintaining a neat, uncluttered look.

This design is usually asymmetrical allowing smooth movement along the line, into the mass and over the edge of the container, which is necessary for balance and unity.  Placing some of the plant material in profile, at the back, in reverse or overlapping, improves the overall depth.

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