artistic (design) principles guide our artistic expression. some are abstract – they can guide...

Artistic (Design) principles guide our artistic expression. Some are abstract – they can guide your thinking.

Artistic (Design) principles guide our artistic expression. Some are abstract – they can guide your thinking.

Principles of Landscape Design

1. BALANCE2. PROPORTION3. SIMPLICITY4. VARIETY5. UNITY6. SEQUENCE

1. BALANCE2. PROPORTION3. SIMPLICITY4. VARIETY5. UNITY6. SEQUENCE


1. BALANCE: A state of equilibrium, equality in weight, value or importance.

1. BALANCE: A state of equilibrium, equality in weight, value or importance.


BALANCE: Two types of balance… Symmetrical – formal, static…

Achieved using the same thing on each side of a central axis. Symmetry can be boring. If there isn't

any movement it makes for a static landscape. And if you lose a plant on one side the balance will be lost.

Also if a house is asymmetrical you can't really do a symmetrical landscape.

BALANCE: Two types of balance… Symmetrical – formal, static…

Achieved using the same thing on each side of a central axis. Symmetry can be boring. If there isn't

any movement it makes for a static landscape. And if you lose a plant on one side the balance will be lost.

Also if a house is asymmetrical you can't really do a symmetrical landscape.


BALANCE: Two types of balance… Symmetrical – formal, static Asymmetrical – casual, movement…

Achieved by using similar ideas but different things on either side.

Big structures with a big side and a little side. You might need something dramatic on the small side and airier stuff on the heavy side.

BALANCE: Two types of balance… Symmetrical – formal, static Asymmetrical – casual, movement…

Achieved by using similar ideas but different things on either side.

Big structures with a big side and a little side. You might need something dramatic on the small side and airier stuff on the heavy side.


BALANCEBALANCE


BALANCE: Mass Collection – within the

framework of either symmetry or asymmetry, mass collection is one other method for establishing order in a design composition.

BALANCE: Mass Collection – within the

framework of either symmetry or asymmetry, mass collection is one other method for establishing order in a design composition.


BALANCE (mass collection creates order)






No! Plants are separated and scattered

Yes! Plants are grouped together in masses

2. PROPORTION (or scale): the way things relate to each other with respect to size (big-medium-little). When it is obvious it's clear when

something is disproportionate. In residential design we want

elements that are in proportion to each other.

Much difference in size creates dissonance…unable to reconcile one element with another.

2. PROPORTION (or scale): the way things relate to each other with respect to size (big-medium-little). When it is obvious it's clear when

something is disproportionate. In residential design we want

elements that are in proportion to each other.

Much difference in size creates dissonance…unable to reconcile one element with another.


PROPORTION If you have huge elements and small

elements you will need something in the intermediate range to bring them together.

Very large is intimidating. We generally don't want that in residential design. You want to make people feel welcome. Bring things down to human scale.

PROPORTION If you have huge elements and small

elements you will need something in the intermediate range to bring them together.

Very large is intimidating. We generally don't want that in residential design. You want to make people feel welcome. Bring things down to human scale.


PROPORTION PROPORTION

Disproportionate Proportionate



Proportionate or disproportionate Disproportionate

PROPORTION

PROPORTION PROPORTION


Proportionate or disproportionate Proportionate

3. SIMPLICITY: limiting change or variation… Achieved by repetition of ideas. If we start saying yes to too many things

in the landscape we will have problems. One of the most common errors in

landscapes is that we try to do too much. Too many different kinds of plants.

Best to reduce the number of themes. The viewer needs to experience the landscape as one thing at a time.

However too much simplicity = Monotony

3. SIMPLICITY: limiting change or variation… Achieved by repetition of ideas. If we start saying yes to too many things

in the landscape we will have problems. One of the most common errors in

landscapes is that we try to do too much. Too many different kinds of plants.

Best to reduce the number of themes. The viewer needs to experience the landscape as one thing at a time.

However too much simplicity = Monotony


SIMPLICITYSIMPLICITY


Monotype planting



Simple but monotonous



Simple but not monotonous

4. VARIETY: Must have it. A landscape that is too simple is monotonous. However, A lot of different things is not a

pleasing variety. If there is too much variety you can't tell the theme.

Variety is more like one thing that stands out among other things. It engages the viewer with what's going on.

You can group things together to make a unit. Important to have something unexpected - something that adds a focal point, interest.

4. VARIETY: Must have it. A landscape that is too simple is monotonous. However, A lot of different things is not a

pleasing variety. If there is too much variety you can't tell the theme.

Variety is more like one thing that stands out among other things. It engages the viewer with what's going on.

You can group things together to make a unit. Important to have something unexpected - something that adds a focal point, interest.


VARIETYVARIETY


Too much variety causes visual confusion

VARIETYVARIETY


Too little variety causes monotony

VARIETYVARIETY


Careful use of variety allows emphasis to be placed where desired

VARIETY – Absence of monotony… Variety adds spice, adds interest Too much variety = confusion

VARIETY – Absence of monotony… Variety adds spice, adds interest Too much variety = confusion


Simple Varied

Monotony Confusion


Overriding Principle is Unity – Landscape elements should tie together in some ways

5. UNITY: Tying the landscape together. Provides a good blend of simplicity and variety. Take some feature of the garden and treat it differently to match the theme. Cut stone/natural shapes: same color. For example, brick patio pavers and in

another area make a brick post or wall. Ties it together. Same material-different treatment.

Topography can be used for unity. Berms, hills - unity can be built in a landscape by using exactly the same thing is a different way.

5. UNITY: Tying the landscape together. Provides a good blend of simplicity and variety. Take some feature of the garden and treat it differently to match the theme. Cut stone/natural shapes: same color. For example, brick patio pavers and in

another area make a brick post or wall. Ties it together. Same material-different treatment.

Topography can be used for unity. Berms, hills - unity can be built in a landscape by using exactly the same thing is a different way.


UNITY: Tying the landscape together. Curves can be a unifying theme. Similar backgrounds for all of the

foregrounds. Same color/different plant. Strong elements to unify the landscape:

COLOR, CURVES, LINES, CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, TEXTURES.

Tools and materials are the elements of design

UNITY: Tying the landscape together. Curves can be a unifying theme. Similar backgrounds for all of the

foregrounds. Same color/different plant. Strong elements to unify the landscape:

COLOR, CURVES, LINES, CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, TEXTURES.

Tools and materials are the elements of design


UNITY: Tying the landscape together. Unity can be established by the

following: Dominance Repetition Interconnection Unity of three

UNITY: Tying the landscape together. Unity can be established by the

following: Dominance Repetition Interconnection Unity of three


UNITY: Tying the landscape together.Dominance: An accent or focal point

UNITY: Tying the landscape together.Dominance: An accent or focal point


UNITY: Tying the landscape together.

Repetition: Selected plant material should be repeated throughout the landscape.

UNITY: Tying the landscape together.

Repetition: Selected plant material should be repeated throughout the landscape.


UNITY: Tying the landscape together.Interconnection: When interconnection is utilized the eye can move smoothly from one element to another.

UNITY: Tying the landscape together.Interconnection: When interconnection is utilized the eye can move smoothly from one element to another.


UNITY: Tying the landscape together.Unity of three: Whenever three elements of the same kind are grouped together you get a strong sense of unity.

UNITY: Tying the landscape together.Unity of three: Whenever three elements of the same kind are grouped together you get a strong sense of unity.


6. SEQUENCE (Rhythm): An orderly progression. From horizontal to rounded to

vertical - from low spreading plants to vertical plants.

Here to there. Near to far. Turf-shrubs-trees.

Sequence can help the eye move from one area to another.

6. SEQUENCE (Rhythm): An orderly progression. From horizontal to rounded to

vertical - from low spreading plants to vertical plants.

Here to there. Near to far. Turf-shrubs-trees.

Sequence can help the eye move from one area to another.


SEQUENCE (Rhythm): can be achieved through repetition and alternation

SEQUENCE (Rhythm): can be achieved through repetition and alternation


SEQUENCE (Rhythm): can be achieved through the graduation in size and type of plants used.

SEQUENCE (Rhythm): can be achieved through the graduation in size and type of plants used.


Harmony in the landscape is a situation that exists when all the 6 design principles work together.

Harmony in the landscape is a situation that exists when all the 6 design principles work together.


Order can be defined as the big picture or overall frame work of a design.

Order in the design process Order within the context of the design

theme or style. Order can be created within the design

composition symmetry, asymmetry, and mass collection.

Order can be defined as the big picture or overall frame work of a design.

Order in the design process Order within the context of the design

theme or style. Order can be created within the design

composition symmetry, asymmetry, and mass collection.


artistic (design) principles guide our artistic expression. some are abstract – they can guide...

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