New Ways to Learn Techniques

Techniques should be seen as actions!

by Tomas De Bruyne

A technique is defined by a verb as it is an action you perform to achieve a certain result. Design is a combination of techniques aimed at expanding creative possibilities! We believe that as designers we are always on the lookout for creative ideas and ambitions. We need to change ourselves and be open to being “consciously creative.” Instead of looking for the next trend's "trick or tip", we discover that there are endless possibilities around us to be creative.  

Creativity is the ability to generate free ideas and education should follow the same path. I strongly believe that. Just as much as we all need to change the way we think about creativity.  It's no longer just about craftsmanship, it's about looking at the possibilities of each element so that the potential combinations between them are anticipating endless outcomes.

Floral design, as all other art forms, cannot exist without techniques. Literally speaking, they are the actions that transform any creative idea from a glimpse of imagination to a real life product that we can feel, touch, see and ultimately enjoy. Techniques are vital decision-making factors in the total design process. They enable us to actually transform an idea in reality. The quality of the final outcome depends substantially on the quality of our choices as designer.

By choosing the most suitable technique for the execution of the mechanics, the final result is substantially improved. The more technical knowledge you possess, your design possibilities become unlimited and this is mathematically proven, as there is a radical increase in the number of possible combinations between techniques mechanics, materials and botanicals. If you add to that, the elements and principles of design as possible they truly get to the point we can safely say, they become infinite. When it comes to techniques in floral design, there is a fair question always appears: what technique should I use for a specific job?

This depends on the outcome and most certainly on the W’s that have guided the designer to the concept. We actually dive quite deep into this in our EMC course as we consider this topic to be much more than a trend in floral education, as it proves to be a vital decision making in the design process.

Examples are limitless, obviously and this points out even more how complex the world of techniques can be. The network of possible connections in between works similarly to the human brain itself, it has infinite combinations and interactions in between the elements.  Even techniques themselves can be used to create a great visual impact. Creativity itself requires action. It behaves like a muscle, it need practice, practice and practice. It needs changes in the mind-set of the designer, it requires effort and perseverance in order to develop. We observe that most florists and designers today focus themselves to much on ‘the one’ technique they know, sometimes master. That is literally the definition of being in the comfort zone. And nothing creative ever happens in the comfort zone.

The techniques are mere means of putting our ideas into practice. They should be supporting our imagination and designers shouldn't limit the ideas by holding on to a couple of techniques learned and known, even mastered.  

If you can transform a technique to this level you’ll become an infinite creative designer and to be able to execute all your ideas. At EMC we call it the ICE effect. 

Challenge yourselves when it comes to techniques. Make a swot analysis (strength, weakness, opportunity and threats) of a technique. Try to find out the physical strength of that technique and balance the aesthetics to your desired design outcome. Do the same with the weaknesses of that technique and its best opportunity of using it. Try to find out if that technique adds an extra value when combining with another technique to create a new kind of outcome. Or ask yourself if you can implement that technique in another way?

Unleash your creativity and I hope that all techniques you learn will invite you to see their potential. Not only on its own but more in combination with others. Keep on experimenting to stay inspired. Practice and motivate yourself to never stop discovering new technique combinations and applications. Put passion in using the knowledge you have and unleash your creativity!

^{written by Tomas de Bruyne}

^{photos by Alex Mateiu}