Principles of Design

Individuality

Design is all about Individuality! No one will ever have the same design

concept for one plan. Your own ideas and feelings go into your

design. Creativity is key. But remember, the homeowner is the

boss! If they don’t like it you might have to change it.

Elements & Principles

Serve as structures and guidelines for design development.

Elements are tools used to accomplish principles in a project.

Elements = mechanics Principles = concepts

Elements

Line Form Texture Color

Principles

Focalization Proportion & Scale Balance Order & Unity

Repetition Rhythm &

Sequence Interconnection

Elements

#1 Line

Defines space and Leads the eyes through the landscaped space.

Lines are used in all aspects of the landscape.

Steer physical or visual movement directly through the environment.

Construct Lines…

By using contrasting plant materials By forming patterns with similar plant

materials Examples – Ground patterns, Edges of

contrasting plant materials, and Tree tops meeting the sky

Lines cont’d

Straight lines – formality or a contemporary concept

Intersecting lines – hesitation, change of view or direction, or a pause

Curved lines – relaxed, slower movement; casual & informal concept

Can be created using plants, landscape edging, different heights of trees, etc.

Straight Lines

Curved Lines

Form

2 or 3 – Dimensional shape and structure of an object or space.

Form is Line surrounding Space. Air space created by two plant materials set

side by side is also an expression of form. Trees are good examples of form.

Common Forms

Round Conical Oval Weeping Horizontal Upright

Forms cont’d

Tailored plants and shrubs = formal design Irregular or natural forms = informal design

Texture

Surface quality of any plant material or structure in the landscape.

Texture is relative. Comparison is how we determine texture in a

landscape. One plant might be fine in certain

surroundings but in others course. Examples – Smooth, Rough, Shiny, or Dull.

Texture cont’d

Fine texture = eyes move easy Course texture = focus eyes

Color

Light is the source of color White is all light Black is the absence of light The color you see is the reflected

wavelength

Color Color Wheel Primary colors

Red, yellow, blue

Secondary colors Primary + Primary Violet, green, orange

Tertiary colors Primary + Secondary Ex red-orange

RED

BLUE

YELLOW

Hue – pure color Tint (pastel) – add white & decrease the

value Tone – add gray Shade – add black Warm colors – yellow, red, orange =

excitement Cool colors – blue and green = calm

Color cont’d

Principles

Focalization

Visual break in the sequence and flow of the landscape.

Focal Point – point or area that attracts the eye Without it the eye is lost and confused. A designer should create a strong and effective

focal point. Use elements to create the focal point

Focalization

Can be created by varying sizes of plants. Texture can be useful Minor focal points can be used to lead the

eye to the main focal point Color can create a focal point on a site

with great depth. What color might you use for the focal

point?

Proportion & Scale

Proportion – relationship among components of landscape. Tree to tree, shrub to shrub, tree to shrub

Scale – relationship among components of landscape to house. Tall tree to squatty house – not good

Out – of – scale

In – scale

Balance

Symmetrical

Asymmetrical

Balance

Order & Unity

Order – overall organization, skeleton Unity – harmonious relationship among all

elements of the design

Repetition

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

Provides a common feature throughout the design that pulls the design together.

Rhythm & Sequence

The apparent flow of lines, textures, and colors that express a feeling of motion rather than confusion.

Keeps the eye moving smoothly. Create R & S with elements

Interconnection

Produces unity in the design Components physically linked together Examples – a row of shrubs, lines of tulips