PRINCIPLES OF DESIGNBy C Kohn, Agricultural SciencesWaterford, WI

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

RepetitionVarietyBalanceEmphasisScaleSequence“R.V. BESS”

REPETITION Similar use of

colors, plants or shapes within an area or entire landscape.

Repetition can be overdone

Avoid becoming monotonous and predictable

REPETITION Repetition involves

repeating or using an element more than once throughout a design.

It helps establish and add order and unity to a design.

Repetition provides a common feature throughout the design that pulls the design together.

Repetition: Similar use of colors, plants or shapes

Repetition: Similar use of colors, plants or shapes

VARIETY

Variety = Lack of monotony

Variety = Lack of monotony

VARIETY V. REPETITION

It may seem like variety and repetition are opposites that cannot co-exist Repetition = repeated use of design elements Variety = lack of repetition

Repetition and Variety must each exist in a balance Too much repetition and the design becomes

monotonous Too much variety and the design becomes

overwhelming. Proper Design incorporates a balance of

Repetition and Variety.

BALANCE “Visual

Weighting” This doesn’t

mean that design elements have to be mirror-imaged

Balance should consider the “fulcrum effect”

BALANCE

Balance is a design principle defined in terms of weight.

It is the equalization of visual weight from one side of a landscape to another.

In balance, the focal point is the fulcrum.

Two distinctly different types of balance exist in landscape design: symmetrical and asymmetrical.

SYMMETRICAL BALANCE

In symmetrical balance, one side of the landscape is visually identical to the other.

The same components are repeated on both sides of the composition.

If a line were drawn through the middle of the form or space, each side would be identical.

The visual and actual weight is equally distributed on each side.

ASYMMETRICAL BALANCE

Asymmetrical balance is an informal balance. One side is different but equivalent to the

other side – i.e. while they are not identical, they have similar visual weight and components

If one side of a landscape does not equally offset the other, an imbalance results. This is undesirable in landscaping The viewer should feel a sense of

stability

Balance – a focal point draws the eye and serves as a fulcrum to the rest of the landscape

Balance – a focal point draws the eye and serves as a fulcrum to the rest of the landscape. Visual weight on the left of the FP should be equal to the weight on the right side.

EMPHASIS

EMPHASIS

Emphasis is the special attention or prominence given to something

In landscape design, it is the level to which your focal point stands out

EMPHASIS

Emphasis: Major landscape components are highlighted more than less important ones. Framing, plant numbers, or creating an unusual focal point are examples of creating emphasis in the landscape.

EMPHASIS

Notice the use of a) color, b) texture, c) line, d) balance, e) variety, and f) repetition to draw your eye to the center bush.

SCALE

Scale – plantings are relative to the size of their surroundings (e.g. bushes are below the windows in all cases)

Scale – plantings are relative to the size of their surroundings (the house seems appropriately sized compared to the trees and bushes).

SCALEThis house is dwarfed and “sucked up” by the plants around it.

Scale – We use trees and shrubs to frame a house, not to conceal it or draw attention away from it.

Scale – plantings should be relative to the size of their surroundings

Scale – these bushes are too small, making the house seem imposing and awkward

Scale – these plantings seem out of place, like they’re in the middle of an empty expanse.

SEQUENCE

Sequence – proper arrangement on the basis of size

Sequence – proper arrangement on the basis of size

SEQUENCE

In addition to arrangement by size, sequence should be used to soften transitions from horizontal to vertical.

For example, proportionate plants should be used to help a house “merge” into its landscape.

Sequence – proper arrangement on the basis of size

SEQUENCE SOFTENS VERTICAL TRANSITIONS

CONCLUSION

RVBESS is necessary for any kind of landscape design and for all components of that design, living and nonliving. E.g. the colors in your plants should complement

the colors in your hardscaping and structures Your lines are a mixture of all the substances in

your landscape Be sure that each component is

interconnected – your entire landscape should not be a combination of unrelated components but should flow together as one harmonious design.