Balance is visual stability, or poise. It is the result of the placement of weight and attraction to achieve a feeling of equilibrium. Balance in an arrangement should be evident from side to side, from top to bottom, and from front to back.

SYMMETRICAL BALANCE

•  Placement is on either side of ________________________

•  Design should have equal weight on each side, but should NOT be an exact mirror image.

•  Formal, ___________, _______________

Shapes include

• VERTICAL

• OVAL

• ROUND (CIRCULAR or CIRCLE)

• TRIANGLE

• HORIZONTAL

• INVERTED T

• CONE or CONICAL

• TOPIARY

ASSYMETRICAL BALANCE

•  Placement different on each side of vertical axis. Informal, active, dynamic

•  ______________________ is key

Shapes include:

• CRESCENT or C-shaped

•  DIAGONAL

•  HOGARTH or ______________

• ASYMMETRICAL TRIANGLES such __________ triangle & __________triangle

• SPIRAL

• LINE MASS

•  Shapes can be EITHER horizontal or vertical

JUDGING or EVALUATING BALANCE 

Judge balance by visualizing lines that are dissecting the design into 4 equal quadrants, vertically and horizontally.

Check your designs 3 ways --

1)__________ to __________

2) _________ to __________

3) _________to __________  

Visual Weight = perceived lightness or heaviness based on its combined characteristics (design elements) of color, shape, etc. as well as its placement in a floral design.

KEYS TO A BEAUTIFULLY BALANCED FLORAL DESIGN -- Important for Every Design you Create!!

(pages 68-69 in the textbook)

1. Centering
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Equalizing
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Counterbalancing

 
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