Balance and the nine principles of art and design

Consider the world without balance…

What would it look like?

Imagine if things functioned perfectly when they were unbalanced. Picture a place where things flowed with precision when they were out of kilter. A world full of un-unified integration, where antibiotic symbiosis was rife and reliance and consequence were foreign concepts. It could be a typical Dr Seuss landscape.

Balance is integral to most things yet we are hardly aware of its presence; Not a moment goes by where we are not affected by it in some way. It suggests a union of sort, a complimentary state. A thing that is more stable than erratic, a plateau upon which elements complement each other and co-exist in a state of equilibrium.

Following on from my previous blog, “The Nine Principles of Art and Design”, let us explore the first of the nine elements: “Balance”.

Balance
Rhythm
Composition
Contrast
Movement
Repetition
Colour
Texture
Unity

Balance is one of the key factors in visual and aesthetic dynamics and it is one of the most important principles.

Balance is the well-mannered sheep dog which unifies all the other unruly principles. Not only does it keep them in check, but it allows them to collaborate with each other. If balance turned its back for just a moment, it would result in certain havoc.

Mismatched Colour would spill everywhere in random amounts, too little or too much. Rhythm and Repetition would duel to the death, neither would win and eventually, both would die trying. Lines would bend and twist at will, in every direction; Wild and unpredictable variations would flourish and destroy any hope of Unity. Movement would stop and start in all the wrong places and create static discord. Texture and Contrast would become one…and Composition would sit in the corner gob-smacked and sob.

Balance is the solid cornerstone as tough and unyielding as a granite block but as gentle and flexible as a butterfly’s wings.

Let’s unpack this concept and how it can be used to enhance an experience:

Apart from creating order, balance plays an extremely important role in holding elements together. It is this mighty force that can make or break a design, a piece of fine art, a space or a place. There are two major kinds of visual balance which impact the things we encounter every day:

In symmetrical balance an imaginary line divides something in half, both sides are identical and mirror each other. In asymmetrical balance both sides are different, yet arranged in such a way that they feel balanced.

Balance in this sense applies to the distribution of perceived visual weights and the way they offset one other. When the elements are in harmony, it results in feelings of calmness, logic and reason; This makes an environment easier to engage with and allows the space to become a vessel for a secondary function.

When a composition is unbalanced it could lead to feelings of discomfort and leave a person unsettled or disconnected. This kind of interaction with a space would have a negative effect on the psyche of a person.

The misuse of the principle balance at a base level can have a direct consequence on the flow and functionality of an environment which could limit any further interaction. Psychological responses play a large part in the way we can use balance as a tool to filter or focus an experience; In our case a brand experience, event or exhibition stand. The idea is not only to use balance to align elements in an aesthetic and functional way but also to incorporate these values into the inner workings of the mind, on a more personal level.

When balance is integrated holistically as a concept, our consciousness and awareness levels are elevated. This shift allows us to become more aligned to our surroundings and interact with details on a more intimate level. On this subtle plane, it becomes easier to isolate and align the individual relationships between elements and principles, allowing us to deal with things more innately.

This is not a “one-size-fits-all” solution. On the contrary, it is hard work and requires practice, patience and discipline. It could be described as a personal choice or a lifestyle, this non-static frame of reference helps us separate order from chaos. With balance in check, other elements in our spheres become more aligned.

Balance is present in all of our lives, we just have to apply its principles in the right way. It’s how we align ourselves, environments and surroundings to others that ultimately makes a difference.

The well-mannered sheep dog not only caters for the principles of design, but also for the other elements that come with a unified approach. Using it properly to tend to the smaller details can free up your mind to focus on the larger picture.

For the happy people at Jawbone, it’s more a lifestyle than a work-style. The principle of Balance shines through in our all our projects because we are aligned to and love what we do.

You can read Wolf’s first post in this series here.