Hitomi’s Week One SHAPE + FORM Study Notes

‘A FRESH LOOK AT SHAPE & FORM’

compiled by Hitomi Gilliam

Companion text to Hitomi’s first Mentor Session, which can be watched via the following link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UnH9Evwd4E

 

My References:

            Earth Man Spirit (1994)   Coffee Table Book

            Fundamental Theories of Design (1997)    Elements & Principles of Design

            Design Compendium Styles & Methods (1999)   Shape & Form, &Techniques

            ARTFLOR Advanced Design + Process (2005)   Elements & Principles of Design

            Creative Edge (2007)   Design Inspirations

            Fresh Look at Judging Floral Design (2013)   Elements & Principles of Design


 

Definition of SHAPE & FORM

 

SHAPE: 2D figurative view and assessment of an object, from your point of view. An outline or silhouette.

 

FORM:  3D figurative overall assessment of an object

 

1.1      FLOWER FORM (SHAPE)

There are 4 classification of Flower Form  (excerpt from Fresh Look at Judging Floral Design)

The classification is purpose based…. to achieve effect within a design based on the inflorescense based on simplified, fundamental approach to floral design

 

  1. Line Flower - Spike-like elongated flower heads with multiple small florets along the stem

    They are often the means used to delineate the vertical axis.

    e.g. Delphinium, Bells of Ireland, Eremurus, Larkspur, Gladiolus

    Non-traditional types of line flowers, typically form flowers that display clean stems which become the feature directional line.

    e.g. Tulip, Mini Calla, Iris, Anthurium

  2. Mass Flower - Flowers with radial configuration of petals that include disc and ray flowers.

    Single, dense, round or domed flower head at the top of the stem.

    Characterized by its volume, chosen for fullness, visual weight and perceived value.

    e.g. Carnation, Sunflower, Wax Ginger, Pincushion Protea, Gerbera, Rose, Chrysanthemum

    Also include umbel, panicle, corymb & cyme inflorescence

    e.g.  Allium, Lilac, Hydrangea, Snowball Viburnum, Queen Anne’s Lace

     

  3. Form Flower - Character flowers… the shape of the bloom is its distinct character

    Unique and distinct inflorescence

    e.g. Gloriosa Lily, Cymbidium , Strelitzia, Tulip, Phalaenopsis, Anthurium

     

  4. Filler Flower - Clustered flowers… individual blooms are usually small and or branched or Clustered stems.  Frequently they are airy and fill spaces in design for soft and delicate texture.

    e.g. Acacia, Limonium, Waxflower, Baby’s Breath

1.2      DESIGN SHAPE (GEOMETRIC DESIGN FORM or Silhouette)

Evolution that begins with Basic Geometric Form

                   

CIRCLE and variations

ROUND                      BALL                            SPHERE                       OVAL

ELLIPSE                        TEARDROP                  ARC                             EGG

MOON                      CRESCENT                 CYLINDER                    ROLL

CONE                        ROLL                            WREATH                      RING

ETC.                       

Which of the above are 2D?        3D?      or both?

Which above circles are Static?   Dynamic?

 

TRIANGLE and variations

EQUILATERAL               ISOSCELES                  SCALENE                     RIGHT

PYRAMID 3SIDE           PYRAMID 4SIDE          DIAMOND DBL.TRIANGLE

ETC.

 

SQUARE and variations

SQUARE                       RECTANGLE                 HORIZONTAL 4 SIDE                

VERTICAL 4 SIDE          TRAPEZOID                  PARALLELOGRAM        BLOCK

BRICK                          ETC.

 

COMBINATION OF CIRCLE AND ANGLE (POINT)  Variations

Addition of angle or point adds movement/direction

Static to Dynamic

 

DESIGN SHAPE or FORM can be…

OPEN FORM             Airy, gardeny, open spaces between flowers

                                                            ‘Can see the sky overhead’

CLOSED FORM          Has ceiling, boxed in, dense, flowers arranged tight to one another, less space in between flowers

 

Formerly…. Traditionally….

Floral design shapes based on geometric form were created radially with one binding point

 

HAND-TYING DRAWINGS      page 120/121 from Design Compendium (1999)

RADIAL INSERTIONS                 page 130 from Design Compendium (1999)

 

Today…            Floral designs can be created with radial stem placement – single binding point

With radial stem placements – with multiple binding points

                          With parallel stem placements

                          With random stem placements

                          With integrated stem placement (mixture of stem placement systems)

 

DESIGN FORMS CHART            page 39 from ARTFLOR (2005) 

GEOMETRIC FORMS                 page 40 from Fresh Look at Judging (2013)

*Let’s start logging some non-scientific names for shapes that we can visually connect with….

 

Non-scientific or non-mathematical Names for Geometric Shape/Form

Words with universal understanding to describe shapes

 

CIRCLE (outline) - RING, WREATH

CIRCLE (filled) - DISC, BOWL, DOME

ELLIPSE - BOAT                          

SPHERE - BALL

CYLINDER - FLUTE, TUBE, ROLL, LOG, PILLAR, COLUMN

CONE (upright) - FOUNTAIN, FUNNEL

RECTANGLE - BRICK, BLOCK, BOX, HEDGEROW

SQUARE - CUBE, BOX

1.3      Methods to create various shapes of Designs:

        

1.       Floral Foam

Formerly, we relied on floral foam as a carving block to create Round, Square, Triangle, Vertical and Horizontal Designs. Carve out the surface, to then flower the contour.

We are in the process of moving away from single use plastic…. Including the original floral foam

The advantage of NoFoam….. The final Design can be lighter!   Foam adds tremendous amount of weight.

Instead of Foam: Use of Chickenwire mechanics, Variation of Water tubes, Pillows and Eggs, etc.

Introduction to the Sustainable aspect of Free Stemming when appropriate.

 

2.       Structure

With NoFoam designing, the shaping of design silhouette is dependent on other materials and methods. The structure building is now the art of sketching in, or template designing.

The plant-based structural material holds highest regard in Sustainable Floristry…. But it should not necessarily be the ability compost the whole… or to throw away after single use, but to also think about REUSE to REDUCE as part of the Floristic Sustainability Direction.

Choose containers for REUSE

Choose and build structure for REUSE

Reusable Mechanics, such as Kenzan, Pillows, Kubari, etc.

Structure or Armature built solid, can be reused in the same way or in different variations multiple times before they are worn and need to be discarded to the landfill.

SUSTAINABLE because….

You don’t have to make it again, using more products and the time spent

Offer Return Policy in your business for Reusables

Forging new waste management policy to get closer to ZERO WASTE

Material used for structure will ultimately go to the landfill, but less frequency, less output.

Variable supplies can be used and mixed, so choosing the most secure construction is the Key.  Wherever possible to use compostable materials, so more can be composted.