Balance

Balance - a Principle of Design which refers to how the Elements of Art (lines, shapes, colors, textures) are arranged in a piece of artwork. Balance means that the visual weight of the artwork is evenly arranged.

• Symmetry or Formal Balance - is a type of balance in which the artwork is exactly the same on both sides of the piece, but each half is reversed or a mirror image. Artwork that is symmetrical is divided in half by an imaginary line called symmetry. Butterflies, hearts, and your face are symmetrical.

• Asymmetry or Informal Balance - a type of balance in which the artwork does not look similar on each side, but the visual weight is even. Asymmetrical artwork is balanced in two different ways:
• If there is a larger piece and fewer smaller pieces, the larger piece may be moved more to the center of the piece.

• If there is one larger object on one side, it may be balanced off by having numerous smaller pieces on the opposite side.

• Radial Balance - is a type of symmetrical balance in which the visual elements radiate or flow out from a central point. It is easy to create a center of interest or focal point with radial balance since the visual elements tend to lead your eye to the center.