Chapter 5 - Balance

Chapter 5

Balance

Balance is more of an equilibrium in the structure of the design.  There are many types of balance but they all serve the same purpose in some way.  Here are the types of Balance one can use.

Symmetrical Balance or Formal Balance - When the design has vertical symmetry, or both sides of the design are identical.  The Image below shows a good idea of Formal Balance.

Teddy-rised. "Symmetry." Flickr. Yahoo!

26 Sept. 2007. Web. 23 Apr. 2012.

<http://www.flickr.com/photos/teddy-rised/1442179866/>.

Asymmetrical Balance or Informal Balance - You get this is dissimilar objects that have equal visual weight.  This photo shows this balance in that the 2 large visual object are different they hold the same weight.

¡Pocho! "Balanced Rock." Flickr. Yahoo!
14 June 2007. Web. 23 Apr. 2012.

<http://www.flickr.com/photos/pocho/548205835/>.

Balance by Value & Color - Is achieved by dissimilar object that are balanced by their value.  It's like asymmetrical balance but with value rather than only shape or size.

CubaGallery. "Concrete Background Texture." Flickr. Yahoo!
13 June 2010. Web. 23 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.flickr.com/photos/cubagallery/4692561999/>.

Balance by Texture and Pattern - These two can make objects balanced by changing the shape of the object or the texture (feel).  For instance a smooth round stone compared to a rough jagged stone.

This gives a good illustration of how all the textures and patterns give it a nice balance.












Radial Balance is pretty simple.  It is when all the objects radiate from a single point.

Here's an image I took of radial Balance.












Additional Thinks to Know:

• Vertical Axis - The invisible, or sometimes visible, vertical separation between the 2 sides of a design.
• Equilibrium is the coexistence of the objects in a design.