Welcome to the Flower Thinking Galleries
Please enjoy the work of our many and varied Collaborators, participants and muses; Collections gathered from our Courses; and the Flower Thoughts Design of the Month.
Collections from the Flower Thinking Courses
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Design Directions | Proportions
Design Directions | Proportions explores different ways of directing proportions, using the unique constraints of each design style as a starting point.
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Designing to Win | Uncommon Threads
A group of floral designers, artists and arrangers will respond to a competition-style schedule with the theme Uncommon Threads.
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Designing to Win | Glass and Grass
As part of our Designing to Win short course for floral competitors, a group of floral designers, artists and arrangers responded to a competition-style schedule with the theme Glass & Grass.
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Festive Thinking | 2023
A talented group of Floral Designers and Artists drew inspiration from the eBooks Christmas Crescent and Layered Luxury - festive designs incorporating wrapped fibre sickles.
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Festive Thinking | 2022
As part of Flower Thinking's Festive Thinking program, a group of floral designers, artists and arrangers created festive designs inspired by the themes in Shooting Star and Star Up High.
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Collaborators, Participants and Muses
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Keith Stanley | Momentum
Structural botanical design is Keith Stanley's passion. In addition to creating large scale displays and conducting demonstrations and workshops, Keith is also an International Master Florist and a certified teacher of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana.
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David Berger | Design Discoveries
David has been engaged in every facet of the floral industry for over 30 years and has represented Australia in the Interflora World Cup on four occasions, gaining two Silver medals overall as wellas five Gold medals in individual sections. He is a highly sought after teacher and demonstrator.
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Annita Bokobli | Juxtaposition
Annita's work is characterised by bold structures balanced with careful placements. Twice champion of the Interflora Australia Cup competitions. In addition to running a successful retail florist, she is well regarded as a teacher and demonstrator of floral design.
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Irene Brockwell | Meticulosity
Irene has forged a career as a floral designer over thirty years, first in Scotland and now Australia. Her extraordinary attention to detail and craftsmanship have carried through to the education sphere, where she has coached and taught a generation of Australian florists.
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Mark Pampling | Linear Precision
Mark is the creative force behind Flower Thinking and a well regarded designer, educator and demonstrator globally. A veteran of many competitions, he placed 3rd overall in the Interflora World Cup (2004), A Gold Medal at the International Flower Show in Japan (2014) and Champion at the Beijing World Flower Art Contest (2019).
Flower Thoughts Design of the Month
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Flower Thoughts | Design of the Month
ViewEach month we choose and feature in this gallery one design. It is sometimes a design which exemplifies learnings, at others a class example by facilitator Mark Pampling; and sometimes a work by a collaborator or muse from which we may have gained insights, or inspiration.
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Let customers speak for us
from 76 reviewsThe intriguing theme,"Uncommon threads", captured my attention and thinking. I initially thought this short course,"Designing to win", would be too challenging. I found that it was actually comprehensive, well organized and structured, and rewarding eventually. This course was about understanding the rules and schedule of a competition. It was about learning how to evaluate one's design for a competition against an essential list of marking criteria for judging. Mark conducted two virtual discussion forums fluently, meticulously and constructively by giving clear analysis with concise explanations. He posed questions and made suggestions on each participant's design in #1 submission. The task of improving/adjusting/changing in order to achieve a better outcome became the necessary challenge for #2 submission.
The learnings from all the other submissions was just as important as those of mine. After having completed this course, I gained a better understanding of the entire process of designing to win and the crucial decision making that hinged on the points/marks for judging. The "wow factor" which can contribute to winning can be achieved by more critical evaluation of a design. Learning to be a better designer is always my aim in participating in Mark's courses. I truly felt that I achieved it and it was a likely "win" for me. The instructional eBooks and video tutorials on competitions were valuable bonuses given after completion of the course.
Thank you, Mark, for this great opportunity to learn from you.
One Container, Five Elements expanded my design processes and choices. Analysing the container and looking for a link to each of the five elements. Focusing on one element was a disciplined journey, one that became more complex the further I travelled along the path, albeit a rewarding journey. On reflection it allowed me to consider my choices and to give each element of design a voice in my arrangements. I likened it to a choir where one voice may lead but if the supporting harmonies are not in pitch the whole auditory experience is not quite right. I found myself falling to my favourite elements and constantly self-evaluating to see what was often needed, often editing rather than adding. During the group feedback sessions, I gained new eyes not only on my own work but that of my peers. Such a rewarding experience.
Each task or assignment for this course pushes you to think more about placement of components in order to ensure that the elements and principles of design are used to create a harmonious result. Mark encourages creativity by providing examples before leaving you to work in your own way, this is incredibly stimulating. All feedback provided is done in a positive way which encourages you to assess your own work better each time - however I still manage to repeat some of the same faults over and again ;) so plenty more to learn.
I really enjoyed the course and particularly found the critique process really helpful, as Mark carefully explained what worked well with the designs we had each produced and how they could potentially be improved further. At each stage, Mark explained how the design principles applied and helped me to develop my understanding of contemporary work.
Yet another amazing floral learning opportunity by our incredible Mark Pampling and Flower Thinking. The experience of learning is outstanding with endless learning opportunities. This is not simply an online course, it is an interactive extremely detailed, deep learning opportunity. Thank you Flower Thinking - My designs from the course are pictured below. So much learning and adaptation creates a new awareness and thought process in design which I truly enjoyed.
Festive Thinking allowed me to expand my creativity. Mark’s ebooks and video explanations were clear and provided examples of the task. I throughly enjoyed creating with the sickles and the online forum. Mark expert advice and suggestions gives insights into the designer’s arrangements. This allows for self improvement and reflection on my own creation. A wonderful experience I look forward to the next Flower Thinking offering.