Basic Design "At Home With Flowers"

UNIT 4   Fruits & Vegetables     class notes, page 4

Principles of Design
Balance
Rhythm
Dominance
Contrast
Proportion
Scale

Elements of Design
Line
Color
Light
Texture
Pattern
Form
Size
Space

One design may be in a container, but the other must have a flat surface such as:

• straw plate or tray
• marble base
• silver tray
• board
• cake compote
• flat bed tray

One design will have a "featured item", such as a straw plate standing, a ceramic rabbit, dog, figurine, an interesting sculpture or a wooden carved object.

The featured item will tell you what plant material to use.  For instance:

• Straw plate - black-eyed Susan, grasses, squash, gourds, pumpkins, etc.
• Island statue - tropical plants, bananas, kiwi, mango, etc.
• Oriental statue - simple asymetrical plant material, mums, bamboo, plums, cherries, cabbage.

The other design will also be on a flat surface but will have a large fruit or vegetable as the main item to work around  (cabbage, pineapple, broccoli, coconut, pumpkin, artichoke, cauliflower or cantaloupe).

Remember:

1. This kind of design uses spiked forms, round forms and filler forms (grapes, Brussels sprouts, cherries, string beans, apricots, blackberries, blueberries).
2. Bring toothpicks, wire, floral picks, water picks, cupholders/needlepoints, floral foam.
3. As we critique this class, some fruits and vegetables may be shared with others as we rearrange to accomplish the principles of design.
4. The flat surface helps us take everything to the front of the class safely.
5. The tools of design - Elements.  They still apply to this kind of design!

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