The group follows the guidelines published in National Garden Club's Handbook for Flower Shows, 2007 Edition.

NGC Definition and Requirements for Reflective Designs as published in the Handbook are:

  • Definition: a creative design containing material/s that reflect, give back image/s of light or other components to the viewer.
  • Reflective materials are placed to reflect light and/or provide visual involvement of the viewer with the reflective part/s of the design.
  • Reflective materials are an integral part of the overall design.
  • The reflective material may be shiny metal, plastic, paper, pieces of mirror, mirrored objects, etc.
  • Staging a design on or in front of a mirror is not a Reflective Design.

Before the designer can tackle this design type, some basic terminology must be understood. The casual reader will read, "creative design" and know that the design should be creative. However, according to National Garden Clubs, very specific guidelines define a creative design.

ImageThe NGC Creative Floral Design is an art form. In this art form, creativity, imagination, and originality are essential. The designer is basically freed from all the constraints of Traditional Design Style. Designs no longer have to follow a set pattern, and the designer can basically forget about gradation of sizes, forms and colors that traditional designs require.

NGC Creative Design Style, as in NGC Traditional Design Style, must adhere to the principles of design (balance, rhythm, contrast, dominance, proportion, scale). However traditional designs are designs IN space, while creative designs are designs OF space.Image

In creative designs, concepts are borrowed from different styles and periods to create new concepts and forms. Usually there is great restraint in the amount of plant material or the number of components used. Unlike traditional designs with one point of emergence and one focal area, creative designs may have multiple points of emergence, and interest or focal areas may be scattered throughout the design. The designer discards the notion that fillers and transitional materials must be used and works to achieve structural clarity. Designers learn to select fewer components but to use them boldly.

Designers create space within, around and about the physical components by using the organizational technique called interpenetration of space. They may penetrate space by placing components that thrust from foreground to rear ground of a design, or from the rear ground to the foreground.

Here are some results of our class. Mouse over the pictures for additional comments. Look at them and consider constructing some Reflective Designs to decorate your spaces. At least you will be a bit more knowledgeable should you have an opportunity to attend a Standard Flower Show in which Reflective Designs are displayed.

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