Design Principles: Balance Lecture

Balance

Visual balance comes from arranging elements on the page so that no one section is heavier than the other.

Or, in other instances, a designer may intentionally throw elements out of balance to create tension or a certain mood.

Are your page elements all over the place are does each portion of the page balance out the rest? If out of balance, is it done purposefully and with a specific intention in mind?

Proximity/Unity

In design, proximity or closeness creates a bond between elements on a page.

How close together or far apart elements are placed suggests a relationship (or lack of) between what are otherwise disparate parts.

Unity is also achieved by using a third element to connect distant parts.

Are title elements together? Is contact information all in one place? Do frames and boxes tie together or separate related elements in your document?

Alignment

Alignment brings order to chaos. How you align type and graphics on a page and in relation to each other can make your layout easier or more difficult to read, foster familiarity, and/or bring excitement to stale design.

Have you used a grid? Is there a common alignment - top, bottom, left, right, or centered - between blocks of text and graphic elements on the page? Does your text alignment aid hinder readability?

If certain elements are out of alignment, was it done purposefully with a specific design goal in mind?

Repetition / Consistency

Repeating design elements and consistent use of type and graphics style within a document shows a reader where to go and helps them navigate your designs and layouts safely. Ensure that your document utilises the principles of repetition, consistency, and unity in page design.

Do page numbers appear in the same location from page to page? As major and minor headlines consistent in size, style and placement? Have you used and a consistent graphic or illustration style throughout?