I have to admit this is one of my favourite design challenges. I do love Christmas and the associated floral design variations so the added idea of making something contemporary (leading edge, possibly controversial) appeals to me as a designer.
My idea with this design was to have the “tree” in a non-conventional setting. I have used a dried branch placed horizontally through a bent wire support as the structure for the design. Christmas baubles hang and are glued to parts of the branch. Some of these baubles contain water as a source for the plant material (kangaroo paw). Sections of conifer foliage are wired to the branch – these do not need a water source for the duration of this show. Some pine cones have been glued to the base and a “star”, made from timber toothpicks, craspedia and gold wire, hangs in the middle of the design.
Judges comments: A very contemporary design using a Christmas theme however it does not tell me it is a “tree” as was required by the class title. It lacks unity and rhythm.
My review comments: Sooo many things wrong with this design now that I look at it in hindsight!!
- The base colour is too dominant and the actual painting is not complete.
- The base is probably the wrong shape – it might look more a part of the design if it was a rectangle, long and narrow.
- The kangaroo paw placements, being vertical, detract from the strong horizontal line created by the branch. Placements along the branch should all have been horizontal (like the conifer foliage)
- Neither the baubles or the plant material placements extend to the end of the branch.
- The effect of the star is lost by the confusion of lines/forms around it.
Given I can see all of these things in review, it might be time to redo this design and see the effect of taking my own advice!