Balance & Weight

Balance refers to the even distribution of visual weight within a display. Maintaining balance is important because an unbalanced arrangement may look top-heavy, bottom-heavy, or as if a side is falling off. In our example in the top photo, two smaller rectangles placed together balance out the larger oval.

A symmetrical arrangement (where each half of an arrangement is the mirror image of the other) is the most straightforward illustration of balance, but you can use the technique to create asymmetrical arrangements too.

 

 

Sometimes an object's visual weight demands that it be displayed alone. Anything that is large, dark, bright, boldly patterned, or oddly shaped will look heavier and bigger than an item that is small, pale, solid, and predictably shaped.

The sheer size of this rectangular wall hanging in the top photo makes it best displayed alone, but a smaller, bright red item would have the same visual weight. When using this technique, it's best to display your weighty object near similarly weighty furniture or architecture, such as a sofa or fireplace.

Art Smarts 101