What type of balance is created when the weight is positioned unequally from a center axis?

The arrangement of shapes, lines and ornamental effects to create an artistic whole is known as:

What are the 3 levels of observation ?

The 3 dimensional representation of shape is called:

The outline or silhouette of an object is known as:

When all units are identical except for position, the design principle is known as:

When 2 or more units are repeated in sequential repetition, this design principle is better known as:

Which design principle refers to units that are opposite, creates variety and stimulates interest?

A state of equilibrium between contrasting, opposite or interacting elements in the design

What type of balance is created when weight is positioned unequally from center axis?

What’s the standard proportion between the head and body of a woman , that just artist use?

3 sectioning is an effective way to measure the proportions of the:

What describes the term profile?

An outline of the face from the side

Straight, convex and concave are terms used in design that refer to which of the following?

Adding volume to the fringe area and forehead will visually shrink the length of the nose in which profile?

A dominant, protruding forehead and chin with a small nose are characteristics of a:

Which of the following is true regarding design decisions about clients who wear glasses ?

Select large glasses for a large face

Wearing a coordinated outfit would fall into which of the following style categories?

A casual and comfortable clothing style may also be described as:

Successful graphic designers know that mastering the visual concept of balance is the key to effective communication. When your designs achieve balance—which can happen with both symmetrical and asymmetrical designs—they’ll achieve greater harmony, and your audience will use less energy taking in the information.

Understanding symmetry vs. asymmetry isn’t difficult, but getting it just right can be tricky at first. That’s why we’re going to go through a few examples to ensure everything is crystal clear.

What is visual balance? And what is symmetry? —

Symmetry and balance are related. But they’re not quite the same thing. Take a look at their definitions:

Symmetry is the visual quality of repeating parts of an image across an axis, along a path or around a center.

Asymmetry, on the other hand, refers to anything that isn’t symmetrical.

Balance is the visual principle of making a design appear equally weighted throughout the composition.

Balance measures the visual weight of your composition, which impacts how much each element attracts your audience’s attention.

There are four basic ways to achieve balance:

Symmetrical balance

Symmetrical balance occurs when your composition has the same visual weight on each side of an axis. Imagine perfect mirror images looking at each other around a central axis.

This type of balance evokes gracefulness and simplicity. It’s pleasing to look at, but also very predictable.

Asymmetrical balance

A composition with unequal weight on both sides has asymmetrical balance.

More visually interesting than its symmetrical counterpart, this visual technique has a large focal point on one side with several, less significant focal points on the other.

Radial balance

When visual elements radiate out of a common center point, this is called radial balance. Imagine rays of sunlight emanating from the sun.

Mosaic balance

Think of mosaic balance as organized chaos that might look like noise, but actually creates balance thanks to the absence of a distinct focal point.

Each element shares a common emphasis, and no single element dominates the composition.

The different types of symmetry and asymmetry —

Balance is the key to great design, but symmetry is one of the tools you can use to get there. Here’s a quick look at the four types of symmetry.

Reflectional symmetry

Imagine taking an apple and cutting it in half. Both sides are mirror images across a center line, and this is reflectional symmetry.

Also known as bilateral symmetry, you’ll find this technique used vertically, horizontally or diagonally.

Reflectional symmetry can be perfect symmetry, meaning both sides of the image are identical. However, many instances—a face, for example—will feature subtle differences on each side.

Translational symmetry

Think of the same shape repeating itself over and over again.

This is translational symmetry—when visual elements repeat across a location in space. This repetition can happen for any length or in any direction.

Rotational symmetry

Imagine a car’s moving wheels and spinning windmills, and you’ve got rotational symmetry.

Also known as radial symmetry, this technique features all visual elements rotating around a center at any angle. This type of symmetry is ideal for capturing a sense of motion, dynamic action or speed.

Glide reflectional symmetry

We’ve all seen footsteps in the sand or snow. Think about how each step produces a reflection of the opposite foot, but because of movement, each footprint doesn’t line up with the other.

Glide reflectional symmetry is a play on reflectional symmetry, but it involves a shift in the position of each mirror image. Like rotational symmetry, it also conveys a sense of moving forward.

Asymmetry

If a composition doesn’t fit into the above categories, it’s probably asymmetrical.

As a designer, asymmetry both challenges and helps you. Balanced, symmetrical designs are typically more engaging because our eyes find them naturally more interesting and attractive.

You have to work a little harder to achieve balance with asymmetrical visual elements, but you’ll also have the liberty to experiment with unexpected patterns and forms, in a way you just can’t with symmetry.

Examples of balance in graphic design —

The best way to learn about balance is to look at a few real world examples of symmetry and asymmetry in action.

Logos

Airbnb

The Airbnb logo is an example of pure reflectional symmetry.

If you draw a vertical line right down the middle, both halves are perfectly the same. To create reflectional symmetry like this, use simple shapes and go for a minimalist logo that doesn’t have many complicated parts to it.

Google

Google’s wordmark is an example of asymmetrical balance.

The first three letters are noticeably wider than the last three letters, creating a sense of greater visual weight in the first half of the wordmark.

Web design

Apple

Apple’s Mac webpage gives us a stunning example of great reflectional symmetry.

Not only are the MacBook screens of equal length on both sides of the vertical, central axis, but the lines of typography in the headline and subheading above are also equidistant on both sides of the axis.

The Atlantic 

This news magazine website features columns of different lengths and greater visual weight of images on its left side for an overall appearance that struggles to achieve balance.

Greater visual balance could be achieved by making the columns the same length and equally distributing the images on both sides of the vertical, central axis.

Business cards

InClean

With its simple design, the InClean business card achieves perfect symmetry and balance.

Hallo 

This business card is ultra-minimalist with just the word “Hallo” printed on one side  of it—a composition with clear asymmetry and intentional imbalance.

Some might find the large typeface too overpowering. Others might see that as the point of the design. A composition like this sits on the line between balanced and imbalanced.

Understand balance to design better products —

Knowing how to use symmetry and asymmetry properly is the key to communicating your story through graphic design. By harnessing the principle of good balance, you can turn ordinary designs into something spectacular and memorable.

Need a perfectly balanced design?

This article was written by Marc Schenker with input from Sam Lundquist.

Which of the following is a characteristic of asymmetrical balance?

Which design principle refers to units that are opposite creates variety and stimulates interest a contrast B repetition C alternation D progression?

Which of the following lines are parallel to the horizon or floor and create a feeling of weight and stability?

Which design principle refers to units that are opposite?