Balance is like a seesaw: instead of weight, you are balancing design elements. > **The principle of balance:** A satisfying arrangement or proportion of design elements. Balance occurs when there is an equally distributed (but not necessarily symmetrical) amount of visual signal on both sides of an imaginary axis going through the middle of the screen. This axis is often vertical but can also be horizontal. Just like when balancing weight, if you were to have one small design element and one large design element on the two sides of the axis, the design would feel a bit unbalanced. The area taken by the design element matters when creating balance, not just the number of elements. The imaginary axis you establish on your visual will be the reference point for how to organize your layout and will help you understand the current state of balance on your visual. In a balanced design, no one area draws your eye so much that you can’t see the other areas (even though some elements might carry more visual weight and be focal points). Balance can be: - Symmetrical: elements are symmetrically distributed relative to the central imaginary axis - [Asymmetrical: elements are asymmetrically distributed relative to the central axis](https://www.nngroup.com/articles/visual-design-cheat-sheet/) - Radial: elements radiate out from a central, common point in a circular direction. The kind of balance you use in your visual depends on what you want to convey. Asymmetry is dynamic and engaging. It creates a sense of energy and movement. Symmetry is quiet and static. Radial balance will always lead the eye to the center of the composition. ![[image 3.png]]![[image-1 3.png]]