By Ken Proctor
Depth is an ancillary concept under the design principle of rhythm. Depth is defined in the
2022 edition of The AIFD guide to Floral Design as “the placement of materials at different
levels within and around an arrangement. Depth imparts a three-dimensional quality to a
floral composition.”
Adding depth to a floral composition can be achieved by ensuring that flowers are placed
deep into the center of the design while locating others at higher levels and on outer edges.
Viewers are drawn into the arrangement to discover every placement and explore the
design in its entirety. Using the concept of depth, a designer can emulate how flowers
naturally grow in gardens thus establishing an interesting rhythm of movement.
Floral designers should avoid the common mistake of creating a flat plane of floral material
which decreases the beauty and interest of an arrangement. When used properly, depth
gives designs more volume and the flowers appear more graceful as space is created
around and between them.
The arrangement below shows flowers placed at varying depths to create a more cohesive
design.
