The following information is taken directly from the
​ “Handbook For Flower Shows”, Revised 2017, National Garden Club, Inc. 
WGCF members are invited to submit examples of the various design types for inclusion on this page. 
​ Email them to [email protected]
The four design types are:
 AMERICAN TRADITIONAL DESIGN TYPES
  • conform to the characteristics of the American Tradition style where each design is based on a single set pattern of geometric form (sphere, cylinder or pyramid); plant material is used in a naturalistic manner, radiating from one point with little or no abstraction; plant material, forms and colors are integrated rather than grouped; space within the design is of little importance; creativity is achieved through beauty, unity, harmony and selection of plant material.
    • American Traditional Line Design conforms to the characteristics of American Tradition styles where great restraint in the quantity of plant material is used, a linear pattern is dominant, and line material establishes the pattern which can be vertical horizontal, crescent, S-curve or zigzag.
    • American Traditional Line- Mass Design conforms to the characteristics of American Traditional style where a linear pattern is established, however, additional plant material enhances and strengthens the line and massed plant material emphasizes the center of interest but never obscures the linear pattern.
    • American Traditional Mass Design conforms to the American Traditional style and uses large quantities of plant material with a closed silhouette in addition to plant material being integrated and not grouped.
​CREATIVE DESIGN TYPES
  • are not bound by traditional patterns or styles.  They are designs with a relationship between form and space.  These designs are eclectic, show restraint in the amount of plant material and/or number of components (except assemblage, creative mass and tapestry designs), have more than 1 point of emergence and focal area, uses components in a non-realistic manner, positions components according to plastic organization, juxtaposes components , uses penetration of space, employs contrasting components, uses plant materials, and non-tradition containers and unconventional man-made objects not normally associated with floral design or art and allows any part of the design to be dominant, including the container.
    • Angular Design is a creative design emphasizing strong angles that may be acute obtuse, reflex, right angles, or combination of angles.
    • Cascade Design is a design with emphasis on a downward rhythmic movement and a minimum of components may extend upward.
    •  Constructive Design has strong architectural characteristics using geometric forms or forms combined into a single three-dimensional unity.  It is limited to one or two types of material which may be fresh or dried plant material and/or man-made material.
    • Creative Line Design is where the line is dominant with a minimum of plant material and other optional components.  There may be one or more points of emergence and focal areas.
    •  Creative Line-Mass Design is similar to Creative Line Design except additional plant material and/or other optional components are included to add strength and depth to the design.
    • Creative Mass Design emphasizes a greater proportion of plant material and components other than space.  The silhouette of the design is visually closed, and the rhythm contained within.  Open spaces may be incorporated within the closed silhouette
    • Featured Plant Material is a design with an emphasis on one plant species with any part/s of the plant being used.  The focus is on the chosen species.  Other components are subordinate and my be used to enhance the featured plant material.
    •  Framed Spatial Design is organized as a single unit suspended in a frame or frame-line structure.  No actual movement is permitted, but motion is implied.  The height and width of the design are defined by the frame, but design may exceed the depth of the frame.
  • Illuminary Design incorporates light/s for special effect and as an integral part of the design. 
  • Multi-Rhythmic Design has emphasis on two or more rhythms in the design with one rhythm dominating.
  • Panel Design uses structural panel/s as an integral part of the design.  The panel/s may be self-supporting or rely on a container/s or devices for support.  Panel components may be of any material, shape, or form, solid or transparent, or any combination
  • Parallel Design consists of three or more groups of plant material and optional components with a strong parallel placement in a single container and/or base.  Multiple containers/bases may be used if they are combined to appear as one unit.  Parallel direction may be vertical, horizontal or diagonal within the allotted space and the overall effect must appear parallel.  Groups need not be equidistant from each other.
  • Reflective Design contains reflective materials that give back images of light to the viewer.  The reflective materials are an integral part of the overall design.  Staging in front or on a mirror is not acceptable.
  • Spatial Thrust Design consists of two parallel placements of similar components.  Emphasis is on the two thrusting lines and the space between them.  Plant material and/or other optional components may b e added to only the outer edges of the thrusting lines.  Thrust may be vertical, horizontal, or diagonal.  If emergence of the thrusting lines on different planes, vacant space is not required until both lines appear on the same plane.
  • Still Life Design can be a traditional or creative non-abstract grouping of functional and realistice objects and plant material with a theme.  Objects are more dominant and more important to the theme than plant material.  Plant material may or may not represent a floral design.
TABLE DESIGNS​
  • Functional Table is a table set for two or more persons.  The table is planned and set for actual service of food.  Expensive flatware is not permitted in an NGC Flower Show.  A decorative unit (completed floral design with/without candles and other accessories) must be included.  The coordination of all components must be balanced and within the allotted space.
    • Buffet for service of four or more, with components conveniently and logically placed for ease of self-service.  At least one service piece is required.
    • Alfresco is dining outdoors with any degree of formality.
    • Informal is casual dining.
    • Semi-formal is a more formal and sophisticated dining.
    • Table/Tray for One where the Decorative Unit should be in proportion to the one place setting.  The tray requires an appropriate-sized Decorative Unit with the stability of the Decorative Unit given importance.
  •  Exhibition Table (not meant to be functional) Created artistically to suggest the service of food with no requirements as to the type or number of table appointments.  Plant material must be used as needed for the overall design.
    • Transparency Design has see-through elements (translucent, diaphanous, grid-like materials, etc.) that are integral to the design and permitting some components to be viewed through others.
    • Tubular Design incorporates dominant cylindrical forms throughout, composed of any material.  Plant material and other optional components complete the design.
    • Vignette Design is a functional section of a room, terrace, patio or similar area.  A floral design must be included, but the Vignette may also include container-grown plant/s and or other plant material.
​ADVANCED DESIGN TYPES
  • are recommended for advanced designers, Design Study Groups and Judges Councils.  These designs include the following:
    • Abstract Design is a creative design whose dominant components are chosen for their non-naturalistic characteristics and organized in a non-realistic manner.
    • Armature Design features an Armature form (grid-like structure).  The Armature Form is created by the exhibitor, plant material and other optional components are supported by the Armature.  The Armature Form may be made from plant and/or man-made material.  It is greater in proportion than the other components combined.  The Armature is self-supporting or may rely on a container/s or other devices.  Water tubes or other means of water supply for fresh plant material may be used.
    • Assemblage Design is a three-dimensional abstract design, consisting of “found” unrelated objects and plant material.  The “found” objects are non-art objects, not made or manufactured for decorative purposes.  “Found objects may be painted but should remain recognized and not contrived.  Though objects are considered non-art and previously unrelated, the design creatively relates them through their compatible elemental qualities of line, form, color, texture, etc.  Three or more “found” objects must be greater in proportion than the other components.  An Assemblage may be self-supporting, staged on a background panel with components attached or a combination.
    • Challenge Design is where the Flower Show Committee provides identical components to exhibitors.  Not all provided materials must be used.  The Schedule states what the exhibitor provides. The completed design is not eligible for the Designer’s Choice Award.
    • Duo Design is in one container or containers joined to appear as one.  The design is organized as two designs, back-to-back, and entered as two separate design classes with the schedule specifying both class titles.  Each side appears as a distinctly different design.  Staging must allow for easy viewing of both sides of the design.
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  • Floor Design is a mass design of only plant material with radial placement.  Like material is grouped and placed next to other different grouped like material.  Additional plant material may be included, but the proportion of groupings dominate the design.  Plant material emanates from one point of emergence.
  • Grouped Mass Design
  • Low-Profile Design is a three-dimensional design incorporating three or more design techniques.  The design must be at least four times long and/or wide as it is high.  The design is to be viewed and judged from above.
  •  Mono-Botanic Desin a design using multiple parts of the plant/s of one family or genus.  Plants may be stems, bloom/s roots, fruit foliage, etc.
  • Tapestry Design is a creative solid-mass design with a geometric closed silhouette/s.  Volume of plant material dominates with other components optional.  The design m ay have some transparent/translucent/diaphanous components.  Imaginative design techniques and applications must be used such as pillowing, pave’, color blocking, weaving, etc.  Inner space is achieved by juxtaposing colors, textures and forms.
  • Underwater Design is a creative design having some or all plant material and other optional component/s submerged in water.  Plant material and other components under water must contribute to the overall design and are selected for their lasting quality.
 Additional Resources: