Landscape of Art

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Frederick Law Olmsted & Calvert Vaux

Design can be a very complex portion of landscaping. There are many factors to take into consideration when developing a design. One must look at all aspects of the design and not just focus on the important, but basic elements of landscaping such as plant selection and area compatibility. One must take into consideration the color schemes, textures, and general layout and form of the design.
Such concepts as color, form and textures are all principles and elements of design. These principles and elements have rules and meaning and when used correctly they have the capacity to create an amazing garden design.

Elements of Design

The elements of design are the pieces and parts that go together to make the whole. They are like the pieces of a puzzle, all by themselves they are confusing but when put together they make a wonderful picture

Line

The line is probably one of the most basic elements in a design. It can be a simple dot or an outline of a cloud. It shows direction by leading the eye or stopping the eye altogether

Geometric
Organic
Form

-->Form is the shape that an object takes. For instance a pine tree typically takes a triangular shape and a shrub takes a round globular shape. There are two basic types of forms: Geometric, and Organic. Geometric forms typically can be labeled as either circle, square, and etc. When it comes to organic forms, however, they have no true identity other than that they are a form of some sort.

Color

Color is all around us and is an extremely expressive element that can have great meaning and effect on the passerby. Color has the ability symbolize things and create moods in individuals. For instance pastels tend to be very calming while vivid colors tend to be very energizing and loud. When deciding only color always remember to things of what you want your design to say if u want it to catch the eye, or just set in the back round.

Motion

Motion is the perception that an object in the design is moving. For example a stationary object can take on new meaning as the observer moves around the stationary object, placing the object in different view thus giving it an appearance of having movement

Texture

Texture is an element that can bee seen and felt at the same time. Texture like color has the ability to bring out feeling in individuals. Cactus and there coarse texture tend to be associated with a very harsh dry environment while ferns with there soft feathery feel tend to be associated with a very lush environment. Combing textures carefully can create a wonderful effect in any garden.

Space

Space has to be one of the most confusing and frustrating elements of design to understand. It is there yet it is not. Technically speaking it is considered the space that lies between objects. It goes in all directions and goes on forever. It is an important element to be recognized. There are two types of space; positive and negative. Positive space is the area that a person is first aware of when viewing a scenery. Negative space is the space in the background that is not first noticeable. For instance these letters are positive space and everything around them is negative space.

Principles of Design

The principles of design are the basic rules that are applied when putting together the pieces of the puzzle or elements design. They aid in the assembly helping a individual to know which piece goes where.

Unity

Unity is the mixing of all the elements of design into one to create a whole. Each element may be very different but it is only when they are combined into one and brought together that the story can be told and the design can be interpreted. To convey a design through the elements that are pieced to have to make sense. To do this one must have some sort of theme or repetition hat that flows form one element to another.
The pieces of the rock when separate make no sense but when put together it creates a understandable whole.

Informal Balance

Formal Balance

Balance

Balance is important in designing because it is important to make sure u have not created a design that has the appearance of falling over or being lopsided. Balance can create a sense of peace and security. there are two types of balance formal and informal. Formal balance is geometric, symmetrical,a and is characterized by repetition f similar elements on either side of a certain axis. An informal balance is non geometric and asymmetrical. It is often fluid, dynamic naturalistic creating a sense of curiosity and movement 92

Proportion

Proportion is referring to the relative size and scale of every thing in the design. Proportion is usually not that noticeable until something is out of proportion. For instance if an individual were to design a small herb garden and then place an oak tree in it, that design would look out of proportion.
In the picture to the left everything is in proportion.

Emphasis

To emphasize something is to make it it stick out at a glance. Many designs have emphasis or a focal point to add interest. Emphasis something can be done fairly simply but using any of the the elements do of design. Though contrasts of color, leading lines and etc.
In this example the sidewalk leads the eye directly to the stature in the garden.

Elements of Design
The elements of design are the pieces and parts that go together to make the whole. They are like the pieces of a puzzle, all by themselves they are confusing but when put together they make a wonderful picture
	Line The line is probably one of the most basic elements in a design. It can be a simple dot or an outline of a cloud. It shows direction by leading the eye or stopping the eye altogether
Geometric	Organic	Form -->Form is the shape that an object takes. For instance a pine tree typically takes a triangular shape and a shrub takes a round globular shape. There are two basic types of forms: Geometric, and Organic. Geometric forms typically can be labeled as either circle, square, and etc. When it comes to organic forms, however, they have no true identity other than that they are a form of some sort.
	Color Color is all around us and is an extremely expressive element that can have great meaning and effect on the passerby. Color has the ability symbolize things and create moods in individuals. For instance pastels tend to be very calming while vivid colors tend to be very energizing and loud. When deciding only color always remember to things of what you want your design to say if u want it to catch the eye, or just set in the back round.
	Motion Motion is the perception that an object in the design is moving. For example a stationary object can take on new meaning as the observer moves around the stationary object, placing the object in different view thus giving it an appearance of having movement
	Texture Texture is an element that can bee seen and felt at the same time. Texture like color has the ability to bring out feeling in individuals. Cactus and there coarse texture tend to be associated with a very harsh dry environment while ferns with there soft feathery feel tend to be associated with a very lush environment. Combing textures carefully can create a wonderful effect in any garden.
	Space Space has to be one of the most confusing and frustrating elements of design to understand. It is there yet it is not. Technically speaking it is considered the space that lies between objects. It goes in all directions and goes on forever. It is an important element to be recognized. There are two types of space; positive and negative. Positive space is the area that a person is first aware of when viewing a scenery. Negative space is the space in the background that is not first noticeable. For instance these letters are positive space and everything around them is negative space.

Principles of Design
The principles of design are the basic rules that are applied when putting together the pieces of the puzzle or elements design. They aid in the assembly helping a individual to know which piece goes where.
	Unity Unity is the mixing of all the elements of design into one to create a whole. Each element may be very different but it is only when they are combined into one and brought together that the story can be told and the design can be interpreted. To convey a design through the elements that are pieced to have to make sense. To do this one must have some sort of theme or repetition hat that flows form one element to another. The pieces of the rock when separate make no sense but when put together it creates a understandable whole.
Informal Balance	Formal Balance	Balance Balance is important in designing because it is important to make sure u have not created a design that has the appearance of falling over or being lopsided. Balance can create a sense of peace and security. there are two types of balance formal and informal. Formal balance is geometric, symmetrical,a and is characterized by repetition f similar elements on either side of a certain axis. An informal balance is non geometric and asymmetrical. It is often fluid, dynamic naturalistic creating a sense of curiosity and movement 92
	Proportion Proportion is referring to the relative size and scale of every thing in the design. Proportion is usually not that noticeable until something is out of proportion. For instance if an individual were to design a small herb garden and then place an oak tree in it, that design would look out of proportion. In the picture to the left everything is in proportion.
	Emphasis To emphasize something is to make it it stick out at a glance. Many designs have emphasis or a focal point to add interest. Emphasis something can be done fairly simply but using any of the the elements do of design. Though contrasts of color, leading lines and etc. In this example the sidewalk leads the eye directly to the stature in the garden.