2.4 Balance and Proportion

Balance and proportion are key elements in visual composition, shaping how we perceive and interact with images. They work together to create harmony, guide attention, and convey meaning in everything from art to architecture to design.

Understanding these concepts helps creators make intentional choices about element placement and relationships. By manipulating balance and proportion, artists and designers can craft visually compelling works that effectively communicate their intended messages.

Types of Balance

Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Balance

Top images from around the web for Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Balance

• 

  File:Modern and Contemporary Art at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Symmetry | Lotus Temple, New Delhi, India | Nam | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Symmetrical Balance, Asymmetrical Balance, Horizontal, and… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Modern and Contemporary Art at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Symmetry | Lotus Temple, New Delhi, India | Nam | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Balance

• 

  File:Modern and Contemporary Art at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Symmetry | Lotus Temple, New Delhi, India | Nam | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Symmetrical Balance, Asymmetrical Balance, Horizontal, and… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Modern and Contemporary Art at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Symmetry | Lotus Temple, New Delhi, India | Nam | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Symmetrical balance creates a mirror image effect by arranging elements equally on both sides of a central axis
• Conveys a sense of stability, formality, and order in visual compositions
• Often used in architecture (Taj Mahal) and formal portraiture
• Asymmetrical balance distributes elements unevenly while maintaining overall equilibrium
• Achieves visual interest through dynamic tension and contrast
• Frequently employed in modern art and graphic design (Piet Mondrian's compositions)
• Requires careful consideration of visual weight to maintain balance without exact mirroring

Radial Balance

• Organizes elements around a central point, radiating outward in a circular pattern
• Creates a sense of movement and draws the viewer's eye to the center
• Found in natural forms (sunflowers, snowflakes) and man-made designs (mandalas, circular stained glass windows)
• Can be symmetrical or asymmetrical depending on the arrangement of elements
• Effectively used in logo design and circular compositions to create focal points

Proportion Techniques

Golden Ratio and Rule of Thirds

• Golden ratio, approximately 1:1.618, represents a mathematically pleasing proportion found in nature and art
• Expressed as the Fibonacci sequence, where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones
• Applied in architecture (Parthenon), art (Leonardo da Vinci's paintings), and modern design
• Rule of thirds divides a composition into a 3x3 grid, placing key elements along the lines or at their intersections
• Enhances visual interest and creates a more balanced, dynamic composition
• Widely used in photography, painting, and graphic design to create engaging layouts

Scale and Visual Relationships

• Scale refers to the relative size of elements within a composition
• Manipulates viewer perception and creates depth or emphasis
• Can be used to create visual hierarchy, guiding the viewer's attention
• Juxtaposition of large and small elements creates contrast and interest
• Effectively employed in surrealist art (René Magritte's works) and architectural design
• Consideration of scale essential in user interface design for optimal user experience

Composition Elements

Visual Weight and Balance

• Visual weight determines the perceived importance or dominance of elements in a composition
• Influenced by factors such as size, color, contrast, and position
• Larger, darker, or more saturated elements typically carry more visual weight
• Balancing visual weight creates harmony and prevents visual clutter
• Used in graphic design to guide viewer attention and create hierarchy
• Consideration of visual weight crucial in web design for effective information presentation

Focal Points and Visual Flow

• Focal points serve as primary areas of interest in a composition, drawing the viewer's attention
• Created through contrast, isolation, convergence of lines, or unique elements
• Guide the viewer's eye through the composition, establishing a visual narrative
• Can be enhanced by using leading lines, framing, or negative space
• Multiple focal points can be used to create a hierarchy of information
• Effective use of focal points found in classical paintings (Rembrandt's "The Night Watch") and modern advertising