Design

Principles of Design: Creating Balance

Balance is generally considered to be one of the most important principles in design.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

The principles of design describe the ways that artists use the elements of art in a work of art, but these techniques, or best practices, are also used by visual designers, communication professionals, and social media managers.

Balance, emphasis (hierarchy), movement, texture (pattern), repetition, proximity, unity, variety, and rhythm (alignment) are all types of design principles that enhance a user’s experience when they look at a visual message. It supports minimal brainpower to decipher the message, understand the meaning quickly, and know what the designer wants them to do next.

Where do you think you’d look first?

Where does the visual designer want you to focus in the art example above? The full poster is balanced, but one thing stands out because un-balanced features in a balanced design help to grab attention.

This post will describe balance, what it means, and how to use it in your next design project.

The Meaning of Balance