Sunday, August 3, 2014

Mono-Botanic design

I was browsing the web and came across this wonderful example of a mono-botanic design. 




Eight District Judges Council's  Designs for 
FGCNYS Spring Meeting and Installation 2009


Saturday, August 2, 2014

Design Types Defined

I was browsing online and found a descriptive list of design types with definitions. Although several references are made of roses, these principles can be applied to all designs.  I hope it will be helpful to you all as you create your arrangements.


Modern Arrangements
by Kreg Hill

Following the principles of art, modern designs take a fresh approach to beauty. Design elements are used effectively to reach the viewer. These designs typify today's world with its quick movement and spatial involvement interpreted in roses, other plant materials and selected components. Freedom is given arrangers to express their ideas in creative designs where the keynote is simplicity with emphasis on color, form, texture and the all-important element of space.

Judging of modern arrangements is an exciting, challenging experience. Judges must know how to evaluate not only the structural perfection of arrangements but also their aesthetic and creative qualities. The latter requires an understanding and interpretation of what arrangers are saying by their use of plant materials, color, line and form. It also is important that judges are aware of everything new that applies to arranging - new mechanical materials, new styles of design, new rose varieties, and new plant materials suitable for use with roses.
Characteristics of Modern Arrangements

    * All design principles observed.
    * Not restricted by conventional rules or geometric forms.
    * Emphasis on space, within and surrounding design.
    * May have more than one area of interest and point of emergence.
    * Simple, dynamic lines.
    * May use strong, bold colors and forms.
    * Rough or shiny textures in plant material.
    * Containers, unusual, often designer-made; may be minimal or complex; textures may be matte, rough or shiny; colors may be subtle or bold.
    * Interest equated throughout the design.

Following the principles of art, modern designs take a fresh approach to beauty. Design elements are used effectively to reach the viewer. These designs typify today's world with its quick movement and spatial involvement, interpreted in roses, other final materials and selected components. Freedom is given to arrangers to express their ideas in creative designs where the keynote is simplicity with emphasis on color, form, texture and the all-important element of space. The arranger may contort, manipulate or abstract any plant material except the rose bloom(s). The arrangement need not have an observable container.
Types of Modern Arrangements

There are several Modern types some with overlapping characteristics and may include:

ABSTRACT DESIGNS are purely compositions of space, texture, color and form and are not constructed around a central focal area. Plant materials can be altered, manipulated, and/or distorted and placed in a non-conventional manner. The roses should never be abstracted by distorting.

ANGULAR DESIGNS are geometric designs in which angular units are merged into one strongly angular design.

ASSEMBLAGE are a three-dimensional abstract using plant material with unrelated objects used as separate parts or fastened together and may be fastened to a background.

BOTANICAL DESIGNS are modern designs featuring roses and fresh plant material of superior quality.  Dried plant materials are not permitted.

COLLAGES are two-dimensional designs done on a flat panel or board.  Materials are glued, pasted or otherwise attached to panel or backboard.

CONSTRUCTIONS are designs having strong architectural characteristics, resulting from use of a geometric form, or forms combined into a single unit.

DUO-DESIGNS are freestanding designs organized in one container to give two distinct impressions to the viewer (must be staged to be viewed from both sides).

FRAMED SPATIAL DESIGNS are designs formed as a single unit suspended in a frame.  No movement is permitted, but motion is implied.

FREE FORM DESIGNS are irregular designs with a curving outline. They are inspired by nature and are non-geometric. Plant materials are used in a naturalistic way. These natural forms determine the pattern of the design. They may have more than one center of interest and more than one point of emergence.

HANGING DESIGNS are suspended from ceiling, frame or other structure.

HORIZONTAL DESIGNS may be Modern line or Line-Mass designs. The dominant thrust is horizontal. Asymmetrical balance is usually evident for a strong horizontal line.  Designs may have a strong focal area that must be subordinate to the horizontal line.

ILLUMINARY DESIGNS are incorporating light(s) for special effect.  The lighting must be an integral part of the design.

MOBILES are designs with free movement by air currents.  They are seen as floating in space, with multiple faces and staged in a manner in which all sides may be viewed.

MODERN LINE DESIGNS are dramatic line designs using a minimum of plant material and distinguished from traditional Line through the choice of materials, container and spacing of roses placed in anon-traditional manner.

MODERN LINE-MASS DESIGNS are bold, dynamic, Line-Mass designs without regular form or progression of bloom development.

MODERN MASS DESIGNS are closed silhouettes without regular form or progression of bloom development.

MOTORIZED DESIGNS with kinetic design having motorized movement in part/s or entire design.

PARALLEL DESIGNS have three or more groupings of materials (one or more containers) placed to give continuity and a vertical thrust. They must have negative space between vertical groupings and appear as one arrangement.

PLAQUES are designs of dried roses and other dried plant material(s) arranged in a low relief in a realistic manner attached to a panel.

REFLECTIVE DESIGNS are designs containing material(s), which reflect or give back images.

SCULPTURAL FORM DESIGNS are designs featuring a three-dimensional sculptural form.

SPATIAL THRUST DESIGNS are designs with two parallel placements of like materials.  The materials are used to define a vacant space creating a feeling of thrust.

STABILES are sculptural designs anchored at the base and having implied movement.

STILL LIFE DESIGNS are grouping of roses and other plant material(s) and other components by which a story is told or a theme interpreted.  Objects used are true to functions and realistic in feeling and appearance.

STRETCH DESIGNS are designs in two units, one smaller than the other, having a connective/s, which extends between the two units.  Overall design concept gives appearance of a smaller design stretched as if pulling from the larger portion.

SYNERGISTIC DESIGNS are composed of three or more separate arrangements creating a unified whole. Unity is evident in repetition of colors and forms.

TRANSPARENCY DESIGNS are designs in which depth is emphasized by some components seen through others. A lattice or netting or natural or manufactured material may be used.

TUBULAR DESIGNS are designs having an overall dominant cylindrical form.

UNDERWATER DESIGNS are designs placed under water to create interest by magnification or distortion.

VIBRATILE DESIGNS are designs characterized by vibration and unobtrusive sound.

Notes:

    * Look for dynamic balance.
    * Movement can be erratic or stop and go, and rhythm may pause between interest areas as it moves throughout the design.
    * Line direction may be implied rather than actual.
    * There should be a dominance of abstraction in abstract arrangements. An abstract design must have at least two abstract qualities.
    * Roses should never be abstracted.


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