Principles of Design: Balance, Symmetry, and Composition

Principles of Design

Concepts used to organize or arrange the structural elements of a design.

Balance

The distribution of weight and force within a composition.

Emphasis

Particular prominence given to a part of a design.

Rhythm

The feeling of organized movement within a design.

Proportion

The comparative relationship of distances, sizes, amounts, degrees, or parts.

Unity

The sense of completed wholeness or cohesion in a design.

Visual Weight

The perceived importance or heaviness of elements in a design.

Equilibrium

A state of visual stability created through balanced design elements.

Stability

The feeling that a design is secure, steady, and balanced.

Weight Relationships

How design elements such as line, color, space, texture, shape, and form contribute to balance.

Visual Interest

The attraction created by colors, shapes, sizes, and other elements that engage the viewer.

Horizontal Balance

Positioning elements on the left and right sides of an axis so neither side appears heavier.

Vertical Balance

Positioning elements above and below an axis so the upper and lower portions appear balanced.

Symmetrical Balance

A balance created when both sides of a central axis are the same.

Formal Balance

Another term for symmetrical balance.

Asymmetrical Balance

A balance created when both sides of an axis are different yet visually equal.

Informal Balance

Another term for asymmetrical balance.

Radial Balance

A system of arrangement that radiates from a common central point.

Symmetry

The condition in which elements on opposite sides of an axis match or mirror each other.

Mirror Image

An exact reflection of one side of a design onto the other side.

Median Line

The central axis that divides a symmetrical design into equal halves.

Repetition

The repeated use of elements to create order, rhythm, or symmetry.

Equal Distribution

The arrangement of visual weight so no area dominates the composition.

Central Point

The middle point from which radial balance is organized.

Concentricity

A progressive increase in the size of layers of the same shape around a common center.

Radiation

A feeling of movement that steadily bursts outward from a center point.

Approximate Symmetry

A design that is mostly symmetrical but contains slight differences.

Biaxial Symmetry

Symmetry that uses both vertical and horizontal axes.

Axis of Symmetry

An imaginary line along which a design can be divided into matching halves.

Organized Movement

The controlled visual flow that guides the viewer's eye through a design.

Composition

The arrangement of elements within a design.

Visual Attraction

The ability of design elements to draw attention while maintaining balance.

Outward Movement

The visual effect created when elements spread from a central point in radial balance.

Common Center

The shared central point around which radial balance is organized.

Distribution

The way visual weight is spread throughout a design.

Force

The visual impact or influence elements have within a composition.

Structural Elements

The basic components arranged using the principles of design.

Expressive Content

The message or meaning communicated through a design.

Composition

The overall arrangement of visual elements in a design.

Visual Equilibrium

A state where all parts of a design appear balanced.

Steadiness

The feeling of firmness and stability achieved through balance.

Axis

An imaginary line used as a reference for creating balance.

Central Axis

The main line dividing a design into balanced sections.

Vertical Axis

An imaginary up-and-down line used in balance and symmetry.

Horizontal Axis

An imaginary side-to-side line used in balance and symmetry.

Visual Perception

The way viewers judge balance and weight within a design.

Scale

The relative size of elements within a composition.

Formal Design

A design characterized by symmetry and order.

Informal Design

A design characterized by asymmetry while maintaining balance.

Dynamic Design

A design made more interesting through slight variations from perfect symmetry.

Layer

One level of repeated shapes in a concentric arrangement.

Outward Burst

The expanding movement seen in radiation patterns.

Common Center Point

The shared middle point from which radial elements extend.

Repetitive Image

A highly regular image created through biaxial symmetry and repetition.