Design Principle - Balance

An aesthetically pleasing disposition of elements in composition can be achieved in myriad ways. For the design principle - balance, visual balance can be symmetrical, asymmetrical or radial.

In symmetry, a formal kind of balance, both halves of a work are like mirror images of each other. They are exactly alike or so similar that you see them as matched. Symmetrical balance is used to express ideas such as stability, uniformity and formality.

Girl before a Mirror - by Picasso

In asymmetrical, or informal balance the halves of a work are balanced like a seesaw. A large shape on the left side might be balanced by two smaller ones on the right side. The feeling of balance comes from the importance or weight of the things in each half of the work. For example, a small area with bright colors can have as much visual weight and interest as a large area with a dull color. Rough textures and dark colors seem to be visually heavier than smooth textures and light colors.

Asymmetrical balance is used to express action, variety and informality.In radial balance, parts of a design seem to move toward or away from a central point.

Radial balance is often symmetrical. Restful, quiet wheel-like church windows are one example. Radial balance can also be asymmetrical. In an explosive fireworks display, sparks fly from a center point, but some may shoot farther than others.

Can you think of other examples of radial design?

fill-in Worksheet: Balance