Fan Design

Today, we were asked to design a fan design. Again, the first thing I did after being told this was to look for inspiration.

Inspiration

 

Benjamin, P., van de Sluis, M. and De Bruyne, T. (2008) Arrangements - Creativity with flowers. Oostkamp: Stichting Kunstboek.




Benjamin, P., van de Sluis, M. and De Bruyne, T. (2008) Arrangements - Creativity with flowers. Oostkamp: Stichting Kunstboek.



After looking at different loose fan designs, I discovered that the key characteristics are:

• Straight stems are needed
• No foliage on stems
• One line of material
• Stems are placed at an angle
• Stems shouldn't cross over

 Taking this into consideration, I then began to create the design. 

Step by Step Journey of Creating the Design

Sketches of potential designs

After doing these sketches, I have decided to go for the third design. I couldn't do the first design, because although I liked the idea of it and the placement of flowers, I didn't have the right vase to do it.
After taking the vase into consideration, I then decided I wanted to create a hollow circle with the flowers. When I thought this through and planned the sketch, I thought that have a mass of flowers would look better so I decided to go with the third sketch I did.

Materials Used

Craspedia   x7
Alstromeria x5
Celosia     x5
Bear Vase
Moss
Oasis
Vase
Flat Midelino Sticks
Willow

1. Firstly, I prepared my oasis and my vase. To prepare my oasis I have to cut it down to fit into my vase. I used a full block of oasis and cut it to the same height as my vase. I then trimmed away at the edges, smoothing it out, until it fit into the vase. I then placed it under water until the oasis was wet enough.

 

 

If the vase that I was using was clear, I would have had to have lined it with cellophane to cover the oasis.

 

 

2. Next, I prepared and stripped my flowers. For a fan design, foliage on the stem is not needed so I took all the unwanted leaves off the flowers.

 

 

 

 

 

3. The next thing I needed to do was add the willow. The willow was used to create the outline of the shape I wanted. I wanted a circular shape so I had angle some of the willow outwards and keep some of it straight. As the willow was going to create the outline of the design, I have to consider the height that I placed them. I needed to think about proportion. Did I want the vase to be 2/3 of the height and the flowers 1/3 of the height, or did I want the vase to be 1/3 of the height and the flowers to be 2/3 of the height? I didn't want the vase to be the focus point so I decided to make the flowers 2/3 of the height to create dominance.  

4. I then added the Celosia. To cut the stems to size, I held the stem against the vase and willow and measured the height, cutting the stem accordingly. I placed one in the centre and then angled the other 4 outwards slightly. I positioned the stems in-between the willow. I had to be careful with the placement of the flowers in the oasis because the stems where thick and I didn't have a lot of oasis available.  

5.  Next I added the alstroemeria. I did the same with the alstroemeria as I did with the celosia. I used the alstroemeria to fill in the gaps in the design. I had to make sure that the alstroemeria was the same length as the celosia.   

6. I then added some bear grass. I added some vertically, to add more height. I inserted some bear grass horizontally, weaving it through the flowers to add a different layer to the design. It adds a 'shelf' for the flowers to sit on.  

 

 

7. Finally, I added some moss to the base of the design to cover the oasis.

 

 

 

Finished Design

 

 

Reflection 

The positive features of the design include:

• The placement of flowers. The angle out and are all in one line.
• The design is visually balance. The colour of the vase suits the colour of the flowers. The different flowers create different textures that compliments one another. The rough, bumpy textures of the craspedia is soften by the smooth, delicate texture of the alstroemeria.  
• The stems are straight which is important because it is one of the key characteristics of a fan design.
• The stems don't cross over.
• The way the colours of the flowers are bought down into the stem with the flat midelino sticks .
• The way the bear grass creates a platform for the flowers to 'sit on.'

If I was to do this design again I would perhaps do a different shape. I really like the shape I have created but just to try something different and gain more experience I would try a different shape. Perhaps using a rectangle vase to create more of a fan shape.

Another thing that I would maybe change about this design is the height of it. Personally I feel that is slightly a little bit too high.