This presentation will guide students through design elements that could be used for a plant display.Examples of design elements are from photos taken at the 2003 and 2009 Ellerslie Flower Show attended by hortykim as part of my professional development opportunities at Otago Polytechnic,Dunedin NZ.

1. Set up, maintain, and dismantle plant displays Hortykim Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

2. Design elements Design is how you purposefully combine the following elements in order to create or convey a concept or feel. This may be in the creation of a piece of furniture, an interior or exterior design for your home or, for the purpose of this unit, an indoor plant display! Design elements may include: line, form, shape, size, texture, colour, and light. These elements do not stand alone in a display, but it is helpful to understand their individual characteristics before considering how these elements can interact. The elements form the 'vocabulary' of the design, while the principles constitute the broader structural aspects of its composition. The elements form the 'vocabulary' of the design, while the principles constitute the broader structural aspects of its composition. The elements form the 'vocabulary' of the design, while the principles constitute the broader structural aspects of its composition. The elements form the 'vocabulary' of the design, while the principles constitute the broader structural aspects of its composition. Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

3. Line Line is related to the way your eye moves over a plant display and is created by the way plants, and display items fit or “flow” together. Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

4. Line Line is also created vertically by changes in the height of your chosen plant specimens. Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

5. Line Straight lines are aggressive and structural and will direct an observer’s eye to a focal point faster than curved lines. Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

6. Line Curved or more free flowing lines are smooth, graceful, relaxing and can evoke a sense of movement and a more naturalistic feel for the observer. Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

7. Form Form and line go hand in hand.Line is usually related to an outline or edge of an object but form is more encompassing in that you are looking at the entire shape of an object. Form is the 3D of an object opposed to shape which is 2D. You are able to hold a form, walk around it or even inside it. Four basic forms include the: cube, cone, cylinder and sphere. Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

8. Form Form can also be looked at in terms of individual plant growth habit. For example, upright and spreading as seen in the photo . Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

9. Form Form may also be viewed as the entire planting arrangement in a landscape or plant display. Form can also be related to the size of an object or a specific area and can be viewed from many different angles. Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

10. SIZE Size is the different proportions of objects, lines and shapes in a display. It is very important when you move into design principles such as scale to choose items which are the right size in relation to a display is important. Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

11. Texture Texture describes the surface of an object that can be seen or felt. It is the level of smoothness or roughness of an object. Surfaces of some objects may include buildings, walkways, patios, groundcovers and plants. Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

12. Texture As light falls across a surface, every hollow or protrusion casts a shadow. The rougher a surface, the bigger the shadows. The greater the contrast between light and dark, the coarser the texture of the object will appear. Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

13. Texture Extremes of texture, may they be course or fine, are visually powerful. Course textures and fine textures work very nicely in a design, especially if you include a medium texture as a reference . Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

14. Texture Coarse textures will advance towards the observer in a plant display or landscape. Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

15. Texture Fine textures will recede from the observer. Perspective can then be manipulated by using different textures. This effect is further enhanced by the use of colour . Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

16. Colour Colours are categorized by colour schemes. These include complementary, monochromatic, and analogous. Colour is an excellent mode for expressing a mood for a design and can be used to create interesting effects. Colours are often referred to as being warm (red, yellow and orange) or cool (blue, green and violet). First we will look at the concept of complementary colours. And while we are at it - let’s grab a colour wheel which will help demonstrate the following information. Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

17. Colour Complementary colours appear directly across from one another on the colour wheel. Complementary colours create quite a striking contrast when used together. What is the complementary colour for red? Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

18. Colour The following complementary colours: green and red; orange and blue; yellow and purple; look fantastic together, especially if mixed in large numbers and used boldly. Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

19. Colour Analogous colour schemes combine colours which are side by side on the colour wheel. For example: green; blue-green; green-blue. These combinations really groove together and can create a soothing effect. Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

20. Colour Monochromatic colour schemes are made up of different tints or shades of one colour. Different intensities of one colour can be quite effective in that they are uncomplicated, but then again, using one colour can be dramatic. It all depends on what colour you use. Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

21. Colour One of the most important aspects for us to consider when planning a plant display is not only flower colour but the colour of foliage and stems. Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

22. Colour Foliage and stem colour are ever present, unlike flowers which may impress for one day or several months. It is very important to choose your foliage and stem colours with care. Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

23. Colour Space can be manipulated by using colour. For example, yellows and reds are warm colours which advance towards the viewer and may make a space seem smaller and even “feel” warmer. Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

24. Colour Blues and some greens are cold colours and tend to recede from the observer and give a sense of a more open space and a “cool” feeling. Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

25. Colour Here are some more examples of colour theory that you may want to explore for your plant display. Tint: colour + white Shade: colour + black. Tone: colour + gray. Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

26. Colour Value: the amount of lightness or darkness in colour. Achromatic: a theme with no colour where you use blacks, whites and grays. Tetrad: a contrast of four or more colours. Primary colours: red ,yellow and blue. Secondary colours: two primary colours mixed together. Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

27. Light Light is another important aspect to add to our collection of design tools. Light may well be the piece de la resistance as we combine the elements we have learned about so far to create a mood for the people observing a plant display . Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

28. 2009 Ellerslie Flower Show Before we move onto design principles, let’s have a look at some of the displays at the flower show in Christchurch, New Zealand and critique them together. You may even get a bit of inspiration to help you with designing your plant display! Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

29. Oderings Wedding Garden SilverAward Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

30. Simonetta Ferrari Landscapes Bronze Award Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

31. Ryman Healthcare/ SuzanneSullivan Bronze Award Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

32. Trott Ohinetahi Gold Award Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

33. Texture Plants &OuterspaceLandscapes Bronze Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

34. Canterbury Hort Society Gold Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

35. Andy Ellis & Danny Kamo Silver Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

36. Ellerslie Flower Show 2009 The following photos have been down loaded from flickr, an online photo management service which is free for your first 200 photos! Check it out at http://www.flickr.com/ And you can see more of the following photos at http://www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz/award-winners-2009.html Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

37. On The Dark Side of the Moon-Gold,Supreme Construction

38. I Inner Sanctuary - Suzie LeCren - Silver II

39. Take Five-Gold-Cark Pickens Design-One Earth Matters Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

40. Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009 B Bush Telly - Gold -Supreme Award in Design

41. “ Microcosms”Solid Energy-Gold- Lighting Award Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

42. Silotary Confinement-Bach of the Future-Tim Scott Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

43. Dig This-Bronze-Liz Briggs Akaroa & Briggs-Gold-Bedding Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

44. Let’s Go Play-Merit-Let’s Go Native Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

45. References and Resources Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009 http://www. ellerslieflowershow .co.nz/award-winners-2009.html http://www. johnlovett .com/test. htm http://en. wikipedia . org/wiki/Design_elements_and_principles http: //edis . ifas . ufl .edu/MG086 Photos for slides (1-35) by hortykim