This document discusses the design principle of balance. It defines balance as the distribution of visual weight between elements in a composition. Balance can be formal, with symmetrical or radial arrangements, or informal, with asymmetrical designs. Several examples are provided to illustrate formal balance through symmetrical elements of equal size positioned on either side of a central axis, and informal balance achieved through contrasting elements that balance each other out visually. Balance is achieved through the manipulation of elements like color, value, shape, size, texture, position, direction, and line individually or in combination.

1. BALANC
E
A
DESIGN
PRINCIPLE

2. BALANCE
• The distribution of the visual weight
of objects,colours, texture and space.
• A composition should be balanced and
feel stable

3. BALANCE
• can be FORMAL
i.e. symmetrical and
radial
• or INFORMAL
i.e. asymmetrical

4. American Gothic by Grant Wood
Balance is both Formal and
Symmetrical
i.e.The figures are similar in size
and positioned equally at either
side of the central axis.
Small area of the light tone
of the woman’s collar balances
with the larger slightly more
subdued tone area of the man’s
shirt

5. The Great Wave by Hokusai
Balance is
informal and
assymmetrical
i.e.the size and
texture of the
wave (positive
shape) is balanced
by the similar size
and contrasting
texture of the
negative shape
(the sky)

6. The Bar at the Folies Bergere
by Manet Formal balance is
achieved by
• position - central
large figure and the
smaller objects
placed towards the
outer edges.
• shape – smaller
complicated shapes
Champagne bottles
and the larger simple
shape of the
reflected figure

7. Rose Window
Durham Cathedral,
Gothic Architecture
Formal and Radial
balance is achieved
through all the
elements being similar
in size, shape, colour,
value,and texture as
well as being arranged
around a central point

8. Persian
Minia
Ceramic
Bowl
Formal Symmetrical
balance is achieved
through the elements:
size,value,colour on
one side of the design
being similar to those
on the opposite side

9. BALANCE
• Elements of design are used separately or in
combination
COLOUR VALUE SHAPE SIZE
TEXTURE POSITION DIRECTION LINE