Design Style Definitions

Traditional, modern, contemporary……intersecting parallel, modern mass, freeform……..pot-et-fleur, miniature, petite…..the list is endless of specific and defined design styles.

Depending on where you compete there will be definitions available (this is what the judging is based on) BUT they can be overwhelming and confusing even to those who have been floral designers for many years.

Please don’t be discouraged or turned away by this.

Take your time to understand the definitions by looking at the words as well as some examples of that style. Find the styles that you enjoy. I don’t enjoy what are generally classified as “traditional” styles like pedestals, crescents and parallels, so I don’t use those styles when creating my designs. I am much more of a modern (minimalist) design stylist and really love to use the natural form of plant material to enhance my design interpretations.

All that said, it is important to your development as a designer and competitor to be exposed to defined design styles.

This section contains some of the various defined design styles used for competition floral art.

I have made the definitions generic to encompass the various governing bodies around the world. Please always check your local definitions before entering a competition.

I will continue to add examples and definitions.

Click on the links below for a short definition of the design style and a competition example with judging feedback.

Abstract With Australian Native FloraOur Sunburnt Country – CollageCrescent
MonochromaticHeart Shaped WreathHeart Shape Wallhanging
HSOC2022 - AbstractAbstractFree-Expression-HSOC-2022Free ExpressionStill-Life-In-the-PinkStill Life (Modern) – In the Pink
Still-Life-MemoriesModern Still Life – MemoriesStabile-HSOC-2022Stabile – HSOC 2022Stabile-MittagongStamobile 2022
Stamobile-2022Stamobile (Roses Only)Rust-and-Roses-CollageRust and Roses CollageArt-Deco-2022Art Deco
Display CollagesCollages For DisplayNaturalistic designNaturalisticWallhanging No BackingWallhanging – No Backing
Pot et FleurPot-et-FleurNature Into Art – WallhangingEchoes-of-the-BushEchoes of the Bush
Himmelli-RecycledRecycled Wall HangingDifferent Floral Design WallhangingWallhanging – Different LookWallhanging - StringingWallhanging Using Stringing Technique
Still-LifeStill Lifecascade waterfallContemporary Cascade – WaterfallPhoenixPhoenix – Floral Art Design
Suspended SensationMobile - Suspended SensationSolitude-AbstractSolitude – AbstractWallhanging Gumnuts and BranchesGumnuts and Branches – Wallhanging
Collage Our Sunburnt CountryCollage - Our Sunburnt CountrybouquetsBouquetscollageTints, Tones and Shades
Parallel Floral DesignParallel DesignWallhanging no backingWall HangingAssemblageAssemblage
Birth of the ButterflyCollageinformal-parallelInformal ParallelAbstract 1Abstract
Inverted CrescentInverted CrescentMobile2MobileBasic ModernModern
NaturalisticNaturalisticGreek PeriodPeriod DesignsSculpturalSculptural
StackingStackingNumbers with Plant MaterialSuspensionStamobile-2018Stamobile
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