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Graphic Design vocabulary · Design Principles

Balance

Meaning in graphic design, with examples

/ˈbæləns/nounCommon term

In graphic design, balance means: The way the visual weight of elements is spread across a design so that it feels stable. Balance can be symmetrical, with mirror-like halves, or asymmetrical.

In Turkish: denge, görsel denge

How it is used

Used in critiques and design classes. A layout feels balanced, unbalanced, heavy on one side or off; you improve or restore the balance. Visual weight comes from size, colour, darkness and position.

Example sentences

  1. The big photo on the left makes the page feel heavy; add some text on the right to improve the balance.

  2. Asymmetrical balance often looks more dynamic than a perfectly centred layout.

Common collocations

  • visual balance
  • symmetrical balance
  • asymmetrical balance
  • improve the balance
  • compositionThe overall arrangement of shapes, images, text and space in a design or picture, and how they work together to lead the eye and create a feeling.
  • white spaceThe empty areas around and between elements in a design. It does not have to be white; it is any space left free so the design can breathe and the content is easier to read.
  • scaleThe size of an element compared with other elements or with the whole design. Changing scale creates contrast, drama and a clear order of importance.
  • alignmentThe way elements line up with each other or with an edge, for example text set flush left, centred or justified, which helps a design look neat and connected.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Design Principles

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