Balance
Introduced| English |
|---|
| balance/ˈbæləns/ |
| principles of design/ˈprɪnsɪplz ɒv dɪˈzaɪn/ |
| visual weight/ˈvɪʒuːəl weɪt/ |
| symmetrical balance/sɪˈmetrɪkl ˈbæləns/ |
| asymmetrical balance/ˌeɪsɪˈmetrɪkl ˈbæləns/ |
| radial balance/ˈreɪdɪəl ˈbæləns/ |
Weight that feels stable
- Balance 平衡 is the visual distribution of weight so a work feels stable.
- It is the first of the principles of design 设计原则.
- Visual weight 视觉重量 comes from size, colour, value, and position.
Select all things that give a shape visual weight.
Size, colour, and value give visual weight; a title does not.
Symmetrical and asymmetrical
- Symmetrical balance 对称平衡 mirrors both sides of a central axis — calm and orderly.
- Asymmetrical balance 非对称平衡 uses different elements of equal visual weight — dynamic.
- A small bright shape can balance a large dull one.
Which kind of balance?
Sort each example by its type of balance.
A design that mirrors both sides of a central axis has ____ balance.
Symmetrical balance mirrors both sides of an axis.
A small bright shape can balance a large dull shape.
Brightness adds visual weight, so a small bright shape can balance a large one.
Match each balance to its feel.
Symmetrical = calm; asymmetrical = dynamic; radial = from centre.
Radial balance
- Radial balance 辐射平衡 arranges elements around a central point.
- Think of a flower, a wheel, or a mandala.
- The eye is drawn to the centre from which everything radiates.
Balance that arranges elements around a central point is called ____ balance.
Radial balance radiates from a central point.
Balance is not the same as symmetry. Symmetrical balance mirrors both sides, but asymmetrical balance can feel just as stable using different elements of equal visual weight. A picture can be perfectly balanced without being symmetrical.
On the left, one large dark tree; on the right, three small bright birds. The sides look nothing alike, yet the picture feels balanced because their visual weight matches — a clear case of asymmetrical balance.
Balance distributes visual weight for stability. Symmetrical balance mirrors an axis (calm); asymmetrical balance uses different elements of equal weight (dynamic); radial balance radiates from a centre.