Design Basics Series Balance

7/30/2019 Design Basics Series Balance

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Design Basics Series: Balance

Example of balanced interior

Interior spaces contain various elements, each with its own visual weight determined by shape,

colour, size and texture. Certain characteristics enhance or increase the visual weight of an

element, and attract attention to it:

irregular or contrasting shapes

bright colours

contrasting textures

large dimensions and unusual proportions

elaborate details.

If you want to design a successful interior, you need to balance all the different elementscontained in it. Balance is a design principle that deals with equilibrium, so to achieve balance

you need to equally distribute visual weight in the space. Since interiors are three-

dimensional, you should think of visual balance in three dimensions.

There are three kinds of balance:

symmetrical

asymmetrical

radial.

Symmetrical balance


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Symmetrical balance

You obtain symmetrical balance when you arrange identical elements in the same position oneither side of an imaginary central axis in other words, you divide the space in two, andarrange objects in the same way on each side, so that they are a mirror image of each other.

Very easy to achieve and understand, symmetrical balance conveys feelings of calm, security,

formality and stability, and its a simple yet powerful way to achieve visual order.

Symmetry extended to the whole interior is too much, though, and gives it a conventional, boringlook. Youre better off creating local symmetrical groupings within the room: this way, you

simplify and organise the composition without making it look too formal.


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Local grouping of furniture in symmetrical balance

Asymmetrical balance

Asymmetrical balance

Asymmetrical balance brings into equilibrium elements that have the same visual weight,

but are different in shape, size, colour and texture theyre equivalent, but not identical.

If you want to achieve asymmetrical balance, you need to take into consideration the visual

weight of each element and use the principle of leverage in their arrangement.


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To do this, you counterbalance elements that have a great visual weight and attract theattention bright colours, dark shapes, heavy textures, unusual shapes with visually lighter

elements. You can either use lighter elements in a larger size, or place the lighter elements at agreater distance from the composition.

Although more difficult to attain, asymmetrical balance is dynamic, informal and visually active;it can express movement, change and spontaneity, and is certainly more interesting than

symmetrical balance.

Asymmetrical balance - round shapes and bright colours balanced by square & rectangular shapein light colours.

Radial balance


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Radial balance

In radial balance, you arrange elements around a centre point. The elements can face inwards

towards the centre, or outwards from the centre. An example of radial balance is a round dining

table with chairs around it, or a spiral staircase. When a composition is arranged in radial

balance, the central element becomes the focal point of the composition. Radial balance canprovide interesting arrangements in a room.


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Symmetrical balance on the wall, and radial balance around the dining table.

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Design Basics Series Balance