The purpose of the scorecard is to provide the judge with a numerical measure of each category of judgment of a design. The scorecard is required to be published in ALL rose arrangement show schedules!
a. Naming of roses (6 points)
If all the roses are named correctly, all six points are awarded to the exhibitor - conversely, if none of the roses are named, six points are deducted. In a mass arrangement, or an arrangement with many varieties and only one or two of the roses are misnamed or not named at all, only one or two points are deducted.
b. Conformance to type of design (6 points)
The American Rose Society has standard and miniature traditional, modern and oriental manner designs. If the schedule requires a traditional design and the type of design exhibited is a modern design, the maximum points that may be deducted is six points - conversely, if the design conforms to the schedule all six points are given. If the schedule requires a traditional line design and the design borders on a modern line design, then two to four points may be deducted. This is at the discretion of the judges.
c. Other specific requirements of schedule (6 points)
These requirements may be all kinds of things. Such as: no accessories, with an accessory, all fresh plant materials, all dried plant material or background required. Also, very important is size requirements and limitations. Miniature arrangement must be less than ten inches in height, width or depth. Schedule calls for standard arrangement be displayed on a table in a maximum area of twenty-four inches by thirty inches and the design does/does not fit into this space. If the design conforms to all the requirements then the full six points are given, if the design does not meets some of these requirements, then points are deducted based on the severely of the non-conformance.
Vocabulary used for conformance to determined if points are awarded or if some points are deducted: Conforms to All Schedule Requirements, Not Type of Design Required, List Requirements That Are Not Met
Balance (5 points) - Visual stability in an arrangement
Vocabulary used for balance to determined if the five points are awarded or if some points are deducted: Dynamic, Interesting, Equal, Secure, Creative Placement, Top Heavy, Bottom Heavy, One Sided, Disturbing, Unstable
Dominance (5 points) - The stronger effect of one or more of the elements in a design.
Vocabulary used for dominance to determined if the five points are awarded or if some points are deducted: Commanding, compelling Strong, Effective, Weak, Overpowering, Inadequate, Too Many Dominant Features Destroy Unity
Contrast (5 points) - Use of unlike qualities, elements or forces to emphasize differences.
Vocabulary used for contrast to determined if the five points are awarded or if some points are deducted: Striking, Pleasing, Interesting, Exciting, Monotonous, Confused, Uncontrolled, Excessive, Divided
Rhythm (5 points) - A dominant visual path through a design. The placement of design components and control of color that caries the eye from one point to another, unifying the whole.
Vocabulary used for rhythm to determined if the five points are awarded or if some points are deducted: Exciting, Intriguing, Graceful, Fluid, Disturbed, Broken by Background, Restless
Proportion (5 points) - The relation of the length, area or volume of one part of a design to another, or of one part the whole. The relation of light to dark, smooth to rough, color values and chroma. Differs from size as an area relationship rather than an individual component relationship.
Vocabulary used for proportion to determined if the five points are awarded or if some points are deducted: Adequate, Well Related, Too Large, Too Small, Disturbing, Lacks Depth, Insufficient for Assigned Space
Scale (5 points) - The visual size relationship of each part of a design to each other part(s).
Vocabulary used for scale to determined if the five points are awarded or if some points are deducted: Attractive, Compatible, Satisfying, Incompatible, Too Small, Too Large
*Remember - never are the entire five points deducted for any one of the principals. One to three points at the most. Every design always does have some of every principal!
Including condition of other plant material
Rose(s) (15 points)
The condition of the rose(s) are determine exactly like in horticulture judging. If only one rose is used, this bloom should be outstanding and full points awarded and, conversely, points are deducted for poor condition. The more the number of blooms in a design the less points are deducted for a few blooms of poor quality. Remember that all stages of bloom or non-bloom may be used in a design, anything from buds, exhibition form, fully opened to hips. All blooms should be groomed and the leaves cleaned. So long as there are roses in the design, never are all the points deducted.
Other Plant Material (15 points)
This applies to the condition of other plant material, either fresh or dried. Points are award/deducted accordingly. Remember that other plant material is not required, only if called for in the schedule. The Duchess requires roses with dried plant material.
Creativity (5 points) - Originality in the choice or use of components in a design, and/or in the organization of the design elements.
Vocabulary used for creativity to determined if the five points are awarded or if some points are deducted: Imaginative, Unusual Selection, Contrived, Unusual Use of Usual, Unexpected Effects, Unique Choice, Components Not Organized & Related, No Coordination, Lacks Color, Uncontrolled Use of Color
Expressiveness (5 points) - A mode, means or use of significant representation or symbolism. To make know the feelings of oneself.
Vocabulary used for expressiveness to determined if the five points are awarded or if some points are deducted: Communicated Title, Interprets Title, Relates Theme or Title, Dramatic, Exciting Quality, Well Conceived, Well Coordinated, In Poor Taste, Unrelated to Title, Does Not Communicate, No Appeal
Unique, sets the design apart, superiority in every respect
Includes technical execution/construction
No design is ever perfect! If points were deducted in conformance, design, perfection of the rose(s) & condition, creativity & expressiveness - then points will have to be deducted in Distinction accordingly. Vocabulary used for distinction to determined if the ten points are awarded or if some points are deducted: Superior, Outstanding, Original, Excellent, Dazzling, Stunning, Flawless, Excellent Condition, Adventurous, Sense of Style, Background Spotted, Mechanics Obvious and Distracting, Dirty Container, Materials Wilted, Design & Conformance Faults, Seen Many Times
Space - Unoccupied areas within and around arrangements. The three dimensional expanse within which an arrangement is placed. Free Form, Awareness, Unusual, Crowded, Variety, Effective Use, Irregular, Unrelated, Inadequate
Line - Continuous visual path in a design. Bold, Forceful, Striking, Graceful, Strong, Interrupted, Weak, Incompatible, Confused, Unstable
Form - Is the three-dimensional, has height, width and depth. Applies to contour of individual parts or components as well as the contour o the whole design. Unusual, Exciting, Bold, Geometric, Beautiful, Inventive, Heavy, Irregular, Inconsistent
Size - The dimension of a space, line, shape or form. Pleasing, Adequate, Appropriate, Acceptable, Sufficient, Too Small, Too Large
Texture - Quality of the surface structure. Compatible, Integrated, Soft, Delicate, Shiny, Rough, Monotonous, Overwhelming, Dull
Pattern - The silhouette of an arrangement. Pleasing, Formal, Complex, Subtle, Airy, Confusing, Inappropriate, Open, Closed
Color - The visual response of the eye to reflected light rays. Vibrant, Cheerful, Appealing, Striking, Exciting, Unrelated, Static, Disturbing, Bizarre
Light (Sometimes referred to as an element) - Illumination either natural or artificial. Effective, Unusual, Mood Conveyed, Dramatic, Inventive, Depressing, Disturbing, Dull, Overpowering
When evaluating your design, refer to the Scorecard. By having an understanding of the Scorecard you will know what the Judges are looking for and how they are judging your design. Judging should always be positive! If you ever have any questions, please fill free to contact me.
