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.
picasso-balanceGirl 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.

firework-balance

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

See also: Bauhaus balance

See also: Bauhaus movement

You might like these pages on this site ....

  • rhythm and movement as a design principle - art lesson plan for high school teachers

    Rhythm and Movement

    rhythm and movement as a design principle - art lesson plan for high school teachers

  • pattern as a design principle - art lesson plan for high school teachers

    Pattern

    pattern as a design principle - art lesson plan for high school teachers

  •  

    Line

    line as a design element - art lesson plan for high school teachers

  • light color value as a design elements - art lesson plan for high school teachers

    Light Color Value

    light color value as a design elements - art lesson plan for high school teachers

  •  

    Proportion

    proportion as a design principle - art lesson plan for high school teachers

  • space as a design element - art lesson plan for high school teachers

    Space

    space as a design element - art lesson plan for high school teachers

  •  

    Color Schemes

    color schemes as a design element - art lesson plan for high school teachers

  • a discussion of texture as a design element, A discussion of emphasis as a design principle, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

    Design Element - Texture

    a discussion of texture as a design element, A discussion of emphasis as a design principle, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

  •  

    Shape and Form

    shape and form as a design element - art lesson plan for high school teachers

  •  

    Elements and Principles of Design

    Links to discussions of the Elements and Principles of Design, A discussion of emphasis as a design principle, with downloadable fill-in worksheets.

  •  

    Texture

    texture as a design element - art lesson plan for high school teachers

  • a discussion of light, color and value as elements of design, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

    Design Element - Light, Color, Value

    a discussion of light, color and value as elements of design, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

  • A discussion of space as a design element, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

    Design Element - Space

    A discussion of space as a design element, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

  •  

    Design

    Elements and Principles of Design, definitions, illustrations

  • A discussion of Rhythm and Movement as a design principle, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

    Design Principle - Rhythm & Movement

    A discussion of Rhythm and Movement as a design principle, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

  • A discussion of line as a design element, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

    Design Element - Line

    A discussion of line as a design element, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

  • A discussion of emphasis as a design principle, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

    Design Prinicple - Emphasis

    A discussion of emphasis as a design principle, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

  • A discussion of shape & form as elements of design, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

    Design Element - Shape & Form

    A discussion of shape & form as elements of design, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

  • emphasis as a design principle - art lesson plan for high school teachers

    Emphasis

    emphasis as a design principle - art lesson plan for high school teachers

  • A discussion of pattern as a design principle, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

    Design Principle - Pattern

    A discussion of pattern as a design principle, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

  • A discusssion of Unity and Variety as a design principle, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

    Design Principle - Unity & Variety

    A discusssion of Unity and Variety as a design principle, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

  • A discussion of proportion as a design principle, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

    Design Principle - Proportion

    A discussion of proportion as a design principle, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

  • unity and variety as a design principle - art lesson plan for high school teachers

    Unity and Variety

    unity and variety as a design principle - art lesson plan for high school teachers

  • Explanation of color-schemes as a unifying design element, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

    Design Element - Color Schemes

    Explanation of color-schemes as a unifying design element, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.