Week 9: composition I
Principles of Design: Balance
Balance refers to the way the Elements of Design are arranged within the format to create a feeling of stability or harmony. It relates with our everyday mortal expereince of gravity.
Portions of a composition can be described as taking on a measureable weight or dominance, and can then be arranged in such a way that they appear to be either in or out of balance, or to have one kind of balance or another. Balance can be symmetrical (formal); or it can be asymmetrical (informal).
Kinds of Balance
When considering the idea of balance, it is very helpful to divide any picture plane in half, using a central axis line. If the shapes are mostly the same on each side of this axis line, the image is symmetrical. If they are different on each side of the central axis, they are asymmetrical.
