balance

=Balance=

An important element of structural composition, balance considers the weight of each component. In a perfectly balanced composition, these components should have equal weight to create visual harmony. There are 3 types of balance:

1. Symmetrical Balance

 * Refers to compositions where one side is equal to the other.
 * Perfect symmetry can be achieved by mirroring all visual elements along the vertical or horizontal axis.
 * Example: Leonardo da Vinci's //Vitruvian Man//

2. Asymmetrical Balance

 * Refers to compositions where, although each side is not proportionately equal, their visual weight maintains a sense of balance.
 * For example, having a large black circle on one side, and 2 small red circles on the other. The proportion of the 2 smaller red circles is not equal to the large black one, but the boldness of their colour allocates more visual weight.
 * Example: Jan Tschichold's Typographische Mitteilungen (1925)

3. Radial Balance

 * Is a form of symmetrical balance where all components are concentric to one point within a composition.
 * Nature provides us with the best example, being the petals of a flower around the central pollen spores.
 * Another example of radial balance is your typical round clock (if you consider for a moment that the hour and minute arms were removed).
 * Example: Montreal artist Julien Hebert's //Expo 67// logo and Burton Kramer's //CBC// logo


 * Sources:**

"Balance." __Msn Encarta__. 2008.  "Symmetry." __Msn Encarta__. 2008. 

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