Balance is a state of tension that occurs when two opposing forces act upon an object. The brain seeks balance in visual compositions. Balance can be achieved through counterbalancing positive and negative forces. Weight, direction, and tension all influence the visual path that the eyes take when viewing an image or gestalt. The center of a composition is never truly "dead" but rather contains underlying forces and power. Physical and visual centers may differ, with the visual center being where the eyes come to rest. Symmetry generally creates a sense of equilibrium while asymmetry can introduce more visual tension through counterbalancing elements.

1. Chapter 1
BALANCE
These notes are basic and a guideline to understand concepts.
WHAT IS BALANCE?
Balance is a State of tension. When two forces pull in opposite direction, you achieve a state of
balance.
The brain always looks for balance.
Opposite of Balance : Stress/tension
Arnheim talks about opoosites forces - positive and negative forces that create Synergy
COUNTERBALANCE : A force that balances another force
Weight
direction
Isolation
In class example
“DEAD” CENTER (POWER OF THE CENTER)
Center is never dead due to underlying forces - Power of the center
Eyes moving back and forth - Power of the center
PHYSICAL VS VISUAL CENTER
VISUAL CENTER is where the eyes come to rest in a Gestalt
horizon line
Physical Center

2. WEIGHT
§ Weight is force that is never static. It creates direction.
§ Weight affects:
1. The Visual Path
2. Counterbalance
Factors that influence weight:
size
colour
Larger is heavier
Brighter colours
are heavier.
whites are haevier
than blacks
Location
Where the object
is located in a
gestalt
Isolation
Isolated objects
are heavier than
grouped
Shape
Simple geometric shapes are
heavier.
Image tends to
pull down due to
gravity.
We tend to be
drawn to : bottom
heavy
TENSION (Tension Creates Attention.)
Tension in a gestalt is created with the elements in a Gestlat. Tension is created with
psychological forces.
The object here appears to be at rest,
as it is placed in the center. But there are
still psychological forces acting on it and
hence it is alive with tension.
forces
DIRECTION
Weight created direction.
Hence shape of elements in a gestlat as well as colours also create direction (darker
colours tend to move away and lighter/brighter colours tend to come forward creating
direction)

3. SYMMETRY VS ASSYMETRY
SYMMETRY
ASYMMETRY
Balanced
(Vertical, horizontal or radial balance)
Counter balance
more Visual Tension
Equillibrium is achieved
(You can have balance in Assymetry too)
VISUAL FIELD
Is what the eye sees clearly. Our visual field is a 45 degree angle.
VISUAL PATH
Is where the eye moves in a Gestlat.
Weight, direction and tension are factors that affect the visual path.