Balance is the distribution of visual weight visual

Balance is the distribution of visual “weight, ” visual interest, or activity in a composition.

Ways to balance visual weight: • Large elements have more visual weight than small elements. Small elements can be combined into groups, giving them more visual weight. • Elements such as negative space, text, and color contribute to balance and can be used to balance heavy elements. • Color choices can influence the visual weight of design elements. The darker the object, the more visual weight it has. • Texture imparts visual weight. The more texture the greater the visual weight of an object.

5 types of Balance • Symmetrical balance (aka Formal balance): mirror image across vertical center axis, both sides are the same and reflected. • Asymmetrical balance (aka Informal balance): both sides of the design are not the same, but they both have the same visual weight. • Axial balance: a mirrored image across a central or diagonal axis, and one of the halves is flipped. • Radial balance: where elements radiate out from a central point. • Crystallographic balance (allover balance): a repeating pattern that has an even distribution of visual weight.

Symmetrical Balance

Asymmetrical Balance

Radial Balance

Axial Balance

Crystallographic Balance

Bi-Weekly Assignment #3: Due April 14 th • Color scheme and Balance Designs: Using the 4 Elements: Earth, Wind, Fire and Water as your concept, create 4 unified designs (one design for each element) with the same color scheme. The main visual difference between your designs will be the type of balance you use for each one. • Choose 4 of the 5 types of Balance and 1 Color Scheme for this assignment. You have the choice of a split compliment or an alternate analogous color scheme using 3 colors. You may use tints and shades to create volume and mass. No other color schemes are accepted. • Unify your designs by including similar line work, space ratios, and values in all 4 designs. The goal of this assignment is to create 4 similar designs where the major difference between each design is only the type of Balance used. • Use the 9 x 9 format for this assignment. All 4 designs must be the same format!

Next Week: • Reading Assignments on Balance & Rhythm pg 222. • Homework: Work on your 3 rd Bi-Weekly assignment and your Art Appreciation Papers.