Design Elements & Principles Landscape Curb Appeal Principles & Elements of Design Carol Brouwer, Ph.D. Elements Color Form Texture Line Principles Order Unity Dominance Accent Repetition Interconnection Rhythm Balance Scale COLOR 1
COLOR Choose a color scheme. Monochromatic Complimentary 2
COLOR COLOR Watch out for detractors. Colors not in the color scheme Mulch Yard Décor House and trim color Container plants FORM Color is where you find it. Herbs and vegetables Seasonal berries Bark FORM The shape and structure of a plant or plant mass (or other elements in the landscape) Think three dimensionally FORM Every landscape plant has a distinctive and natural form Forms can be altered Pruning Hedging Espalier Topiary 3
PLANT FORMS Should contribute to total design composition. PLANT FORMS Should contribute to total design composition. USE OF FORMS Rounded Most plant material Create large plant masses Borders and enclosures USE OF FORMS Vertical, ascending Conical Pyramidal Columnar Strong accents Add height 4
USE OF FORMS Horizontal or Spreading Add width to tall structures USE OF FORMS Weeping, drooping Create soft lines Provide tie to ground plane Weeping Bottlebrush USE OF FORMS Use different forms to prevent monotony Plants of similar form belong together USE OF FORMS Utilitarian Hedges 5
USE OF FORMS Utilitarian Hedges Pleaching USE OF FORMS Utilitarian Hedges Pleaching USE OF FORMS TEXTURE Utilitarian Hedges Pleaching TEXTURE The surface quality of any plant material or other landscape structure that can be seen or felt. TEXTURE Often overlooked Adds variety and greater interest 6
TEXTURE CHANGE TEXTURE Is analyzed by: Comparison between objects Association of the objects with each other Distance Seasonal Should be done In a logical and graduated manner In sequence Exception is emphasis Will affect the relationship between objects... TEXTURE CHANGE Fine in foreground coarse in background Contracts composition Appears closer TEXTURE CHANGE Coarse in foreground Fine in background Expands composition Appears farther away 7
Line The edge created when two shapes meet https://notanothergardeningblog.com/2012/05/01/curves-wonderful-curvesgood-lines-mean-good-designs-part-2/ Design Elements & Principles Elements Color Form Texture Line Principles Order Unity Dominance Accent Repetition Interconnection Rhythm Balance Scale 8
ORDER Organized Mass plantings Clear design scheme Skeleton of design Clean lines ORDER Create a theme Carry throughout composition Use form composition (themes) DRAWING /PLANTING PLANTS Draw in masses Draw plants at mature size Group similar plants together Strive for a degree of order 9
BAD GOOD 10
UNITY The harmonious relationship among all elements and characteristics of a design UNITY Unified design is homogenous UNITY Unified design Reflects locality Reflects architecture Goes together UNITY Form, color, texture, character and space are unified amongst themselves and with each other. Natural, informal, etc. DOMINANCE The authority of one element of a design composition to all other parts Eye drawn to dominant element Focal point, accent, emphasis 11
DOMINANCE Make sure you choose the dominant element. ACCENT A visual break in a sequence or pattern Created by color ACCENT Created by contrast in spacing using gap or enframement 12
ACCENT Created by contrast in spacing Gap or enframement ACCENT Created by changes in size or texture REPETITION Technique of using one element (form, size, color) throughout a composition. REPETITION Helps simplify the diversity of a composition Provides a common tie or visual link among various parts Helps establish unity INTERCONNECTION Links different areas utilizing a common element 13
INTERCONNECTION Physically linking various elements of the composition together. BAD GOOD 14
INTERCONNECTION Touching or overlapping similar elements Introducing another element which touches or connects otherwise different elements 15
RHYTHM RHYTHM Order in relation to events characterize d by continuity and connection from one part to another Pattern of repetition of an element may be developed by varying location and/or space RHYTHM Captures the eye and directs it from place to place Minor changes introduced to provide intrigue and interest 16
RHYTHM (Sequence) RHYTHM (Sequence) BALANCE Equalization of visual weight from one area of the composition to another. BALANCE BALANCE Symmetrical (Formal) 17
BALANCE Asymmetrical (Informal) BALANCE Size, color, and quantity of elements are major considerations in providing balance SCALE Relation of parts to the other parts and of each part to the whole. 18
SCALE Design with the mature size of plants in mind. Draw plants at mature size. 19
SCALE In the landscape the human being is the measure of all things. SCALE SCALE In the Scale is landscape the human being is the measure of all things. relative to the perception of the viewer. 20
PLANTING PLANTS Plant in masses Space plants based on mature size Group similar plants together Strive for a degree of order Landscape Curb Appeal Principles & Elements of Design Carol Brouwer, Ph.D. 21