Line, Form, Depth, and Space

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Line, Form, Depth, and Space
Modified by the Georgia Agricultural Education
Curriculum Office July, 2002
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Types of Line

• Line provides structure and shape in an
  arrangement
• Line expresses mood feeling
• Types of lines
• actual line
• implied line
• psychic lines

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Actual Lines

• Plain to see
• The eye follows a real line existing in the
  design
• Foliage and flowers can provide an actual line
  so can containers and accessories
• Set up the skeleton of the design

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Implied Line

• No line actually exists
• Created by a series of repeated elements

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Psychic Line

• Does not exist as actual lines or even repetition
  of materials
• Created by placing flowers in a way that directs
  the eye
• Directional facing term used to describe
  placing flowers in a way to create line

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Line Direction

• Direction of lines in a design express certain
  feelings
• 4 patterns of line direction
• vertical
• horizontal
• diagonal
• curved

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Vertical Line

• Stresses height, power, strength
• Causes continuous movement of the eye from focal
  point to the top edge and back to focal point

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Horizontal Line

• Stresses width instead of height
• Implies restfulness and stability
• Provides eye movement at a slow and leisurely pace

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Diagonal Line

• Suggests motion and excitement
• Too many diagonal lines can be busy and confusing

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Curved Line

• Suggests motion in a soft and comforting way
• Adds interest and gentleness to a design

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Form

• Refers to the 3D aspect of an object
• Also known as shape
• The form of the container, flowers, and foliage
  in a design must be harmonious

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Space

• Area that containers and flowers occupy is
  positive space
• Area between forms in an arrangement is negative
  space
• A void connects one area of positive space to
  another
• Space is necessary to keep the flowers from
  looking cramped

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Depth

• Depth in arrangements is important to keep from
  creating a 2D effect
• Achieved by angling stems, overlapping, size
  differences, and color

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Angling Stems

• Exaggeration of stem angles provides depth
• Tallest background stems are angled backwards
  while front stems are angled down in front of the
  container

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Overlapping

• Slight overlapping of flowers enhances depth
• Varying height, width, and depth of flowers
  creates a natural appearance

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Size

• Large flowers should be arranged low and toward
  the front in a design
• Smaller flowers should be placed toward the back
• Gradual transition from large to small is
  important

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Color and Value

• Bright and dark colors should be placed low and
  in the front
• Move toward lighter and duller colors in the back