visual balance
Even optical weight
Visual balance is the distribution of visual weight in a composition so that elements feel stable and harmonious rather than lopsided.
In design, photography, and art, balance can be symmetrical—elements mirrored on either side—or asymmetrical, where different elements offset each other: The painting achieves visual balance by placing a large dark shape against several smaller bright ones.
- symmetryInvariance under transformation
- alignmentCorrect relative positioning
- proportionComparative relation of parts
- golden ratioPhi, roughly 1.618
- equilibriumState of balance
center of gravity · unity · negative space · contrast · rule of thirds · aesthetic appeal · grid systems · design principles · hierarchy · emphasis · rhythm · framing · counterbalance · focal points · leading lines · harmony · whitespace · breathing room
visual balancedisorder
Absence of organization
disarray · disorganization · visual noise · discordance · incoherence