Balance
Balance refers to the distribution of visual weight in a work of art.
In painting, it is the visual equilibrium of the elements that causes the total image to appear balanced.
Balance can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical in a work of art.
Balance in Fine Art
Winslow Homer - "Dressing for the Carnival", 1877
In Homer's painting, the artist tells a story of a performer putting on his costume while fascinated children watch. He uses very strong value contrast to emphasize intense sunlight and shadows. He balanced values, shapes, and colors to create a unified visual statement with the central carnival figure as the focal point.
Source: Elements and Principles of Design: Student Guide with Activities, published by Crystal Productions
Balance in Graphic Design
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| How to Be a Wicked Witch Book Cover Dennis Clouse Cyclone Design and Illustration |
At first glance, an observer may wonder how this cover could possibly represent a good example of balance. Think of this design not in terms of balancing two mirrored sides (symmetrical balance), but of two different elements—type and shape—offsetting each other. The illustration on the left side is basically built of shapes, while the right side of the design is primarily type. The two are placed in the format in such a way as to create a sense of near-perfect balance. The dark vignetted border and the tail of the cat coming up to the right edge of the cover do wonders to stabilize the design.
Source: Design Basics for Creative Results by Bryan L. Peterson
Further Definition
Balance is the attainment of optical and psychological equilibrium in a design.
What is it?
The visual weight of an image. Balance can relate to symmetry, asymmetry or radial balance.
- Symmetrical Balance is an even placement of visual weight in the design.
- Asymmetrical Balance creates uneven spaces, a sense of imbalance making tension and a dynamic suggestion of visual movement. Asymmetrical balance refers to a psychological or "felt" balance. Space and shape don't need to be evenly dispersed on the page
- Radial Symmetry relates to images emitting from a point like spokes on a wheel or ripples from a pebble tossed into a pond.
Why is important?
People like balance; we are creatures of symmetry and appreciate it in everything. A design is like a real world building: it needs to be balanced or it doesn’t work.
How to achieve it
- Color: Colors have weight (Red = Heavy, Baby Blue = Light)
- Shape: Squares can be heavier than circles
- Lines: Thin vs. thick
- Size: larger=heavier
- Use elements to create stability or a sense of dynamic space.
Notes
- Balance is vital. A design can be ruined by poor balance
- Balance should not be 50/50 in a boring mathematical sense. Different elements should add up to balance.
