Principles and Elements of Design

Principles of Design

• Proportion and Scale

Proportion and scale are closely linked as principles of design. The basics are to create a design that is visually please for the space it will be in. The picture below shows tall bamboo plants in an area with a large vaulted ceiling. The height of the plants is in correct proportion to the room size. The plants off to the right are smaller than the bamboo and create the correct scale for human interaction. Together, these two components work together to create a beautiful interiorscape.

• Rhythm 

Rhythm is when there is repetition and eye movement through a design. Rhythm can be created through the use of spacing, size, shape and color. The photo below uses all of those elements to create rhythm. The color and shape and size of the bromiliads create interest and movement as you look at these planters. The pots are spaced evenly which is visually pleasing to the eye. The green foliage plants cause the bright colors to stand out by creating a background. 

• Balance

Balance is created when the aspects of design work together and are visually pleasing. In this photo there is a water feature that is a focal point. The feature is balanced by the planter bed behind it. Both the plants and the water feature have visual balance and together they create a design larger than what they would create on their own. 

• Unity 

Unity is linked closely with harmony. Unity is accomplished when the choice of design components look good together and  create a complete design concept. The living wall pictured below is unified because there is texture, color and form that create eye movement. As a whole, this design is pleasing to look at because nothing is out of balance or proportion. 

• Harmony 

Harmony is created when all of the plant materials used in an interiorscape work together to create something gorgeous. Although the plants in the picture below are all different, the designer used principles of scale, proportion and balance to create a planter that has harmony. Each plant is repeated throughout the design and they work together to make this planter beautiful. 

Elements of Design

• Color 

Color is a huge part of any kind of design. Color creates rythym, unity, dominance and contrast. The planter below is outside of a building but shows how amazing color can be. Color always attracts the attention of the human eye. This planter uses dominance and contrast to wow the people who pass by. Having a lot of color in front of a building will draw people towards it. In an interiorscape, the principle is the same. If there are pops of color throughout a design, people will be interested in being near the plants. Plants are always enjoyed when they are colorful and in bloom. 

• Texture 

Many plants have different textures within their foliage and flowers. Texture can be actual or visual. Below is a photo of a set of living walls that are full of actual and visual texture. A few of the plants that provide texture in this design are the Boston Fern, Watermelon Peperomia and the English Ivy. Each of these plants is unique and beautiful on it's own and when they are combined in this way, they create a lot of depth and visual texture. 

• Pattern

Pattern is created when something is repeated through a design. Plants have patterns within their own personal design, through veination, color, form and other growth habits. Pattern can also be created by grouping plants together in a certain way. The living wall pictured below is made from succulent plants that are grouped together to create a living wall art piece. The form and pattern of these plants are stunning when placed all together to create this living wall. 

• Line and Form

Line is a great way to create movement in a design. This picture below is of three ponytail palms that are placed next to each other. The height of the planters and of the trees create a very tall and formal line. The foliage of these plants adds a huge amount to movement as they drape downwards.

Form is used to create focal points in a design. In this particular plant is an incredible form specimen. The shape is unique and linear which makes these plants very interesting to look at. Form specimen generally should be in the middle of designs to help the persons eye focus on something different and beautiful.  

• Space and Dominance 

The photo below demonstrates spacing and dominance. Dominance can be created through many aspects such as color, form or texture. In this picture, the dominance is shown through the bright pink color of the flowers planted beneath the Madagascar Dragon Trees. 

There are two kind of space, positive and negative. The use of both kinds of space will help a designer create something interesting and aesthetically pleasing. The Dracaena trees below use both negative and positive spaces. The overall form of the trees fill positive space. They are linear and graceful. The negative space is found between the twining trunks and between the leaves of the tree. There is also negative space between each planter which creates a pattern and rhythm.