OVERVIEW of DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Beautiful guidelines for solid design
The PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN are the guidelines a designer follows to create an effective landscape composition that resolves a client’s needs, while also being aesthetically pleasing. These are not rigid rules but rather flexible guidelines that designers use to create visually pleasing and effective outdoor spaces.
The principles of design are a beautiful way to help make decisions about shape, pattern, color, material, and overall framework of a garden space. When these principles are ignored, designs can feel chaotic, unorganized and visually unappealing.
Are you ready to jump in?
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The image below was taken at Walter's Gardens in Michigan and shows EMPHASIS.
The seven design principles we'll be covering
ORDER
The overall framework or the bones of the garden.
BALANCE
Creating visual equilibrium and harmony in a landscape composition.
UNITY
Helps a design feel as if all the elements were meant to be together.
REPETITION
The intentional use of recurring elements to unify your design.
RHYTHM
Repeating elements in a pattern that draws you into the landscape.
SCALE + PROPORTION
The relationship between plants, people and structures.
EMPHASIS
Creating a focal point or dominant feature within the landscape.
GOODNESS FOR YOU THIS MONTH
Below you will find several items to help you learn more about DESIGN PRINCIPLES. From written words to video to applied activities to group discussions. Explore our topic from different angles and gain a new perspective. Click on the images below to download PDFs of your Garden Design Guide and Activity. Further down you will find a video and links to our community, a bonus live session, plus a Q+A too!
BONUS TEMPLATES
Below are three templates of furniture and arbors that you can use in your plant border ACTIVITY this month. These templates were created for our graphics membership: Paper Garden Studio.
VIDEO: DESIGN PRINCIPLES BORDER DESIGN
OUR COMMUNITY
Don't forget to hang out with us this month.
Check in to share your activity. Try one, both or simply learn from the submissions of your peers. No need to stress. Just enjoy!
Activity .01 // FIND THE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Click below to share a garden photo with notes of what design principles you see.
Activity .02 // DESIGN A PLANT BORDER IN ELEVATION
Share your drawings in our community and let us know what design principles you were able to apply.
Share a win!
What have you accomplished in the last month that makes you super happy? Let us celebrate with you!
LIVE SESSIONS
We have two this month: our normal Q+A, plus a special guest presentation. These will both be recorded in case you can't make it (then posted right back here). Visit the Q+A SCHEDULE for times and links or click below.
I can't wait to see you!
Design Fees with Paul Connolly, APLD
Thursday, November 16
8 AM PST | 10 AM CST | 11 AM EST
London: 4 PM GMT
Sydney: Nov 17 at 3 AM
I'm excited to have award-winning designer, Paul Connolly, APLD join us from Sundrea Design Build in Tucson, AZ to discuss how he determines design fees.
Please add your questions to the Google Doc below so Paul can be prepared ahead of time.
Paul has also shared some of his client documents with us:
LANDSCAPE DESIGN/BUILD AGREEMENT
PROJECT DETAIL SAMPLE
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You can visit Paul's website here: Sundrea Design Build
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Monthly Q+A
Thursday, November 30
North America: 2 PM PST | 3 PM MST | 4 PM CST | 5 PM EST
London: 10 PM GMT
Sydney: Dec 1 at 9 AM AEDT
I'd love your feedback once you've devoured all this goodness.
Drop me a note at the email below and let me know what you loved and what could be improved. Thank you!
Please contact me at [email protected]
