Experiencing Joy Through Art

   Good afternoon! I hope you are enjoying your Friday so far and looking forward to a fun weekend. Today I thought I’d share a design tip with you that can be used both in fine art as well as design and décor. That is the concept of asymmetrical balance.

   When first starting out, many budding artists and designers fall into a natural tendency to want to make things symmetrical. After all, this is somewhat ingrained in us, as humans are roughly symmetrical in our bodies and symmetry tends to be stable and comfortable. But it can also be boring. You must learn to consciously override this tendency. This does not mean you can never use symmetry in designs, but you need to know where and when it’s appropriate.

   The best solution is to start by making use of asymmetrical balance. The term basically means exactly what it sounds like—using asymmetrical elements in an art piece or design but doing it in a way where the overall composition is balanced. Think of it kind of like using an old fashioned scale. Two equal weights on the scale will be symmetrical, but one heavy and one light weight will need to be placed at differing distances from the center…yet it is still balanced. This works visually in art and design as well as in physics.

   Examples of asymmetrical balance can be seen in countless artworks, designs and even architecture. One example that springs to mind is the castles in the Disney theme parks. The façades are asymmetrical yet balanced by the differing thicknesses and placements of the towers.

   In the world of fine art, Piet Mondrian was a genius at using asymmetrical balance in his paintings. For the time they were created, they were bold and groundbreaking. The whole idea and intent surrounding his non-objective works was to explore the balance of design, geometry and shape. Most of us are familiar with Mondrian’s distinctive style. His expert use of asymmetrical balance is what makes his paintings work so well.

Composition in Red, Yellow and Blue • Piet Mondrian • 1937-1942

  You can use this concept in your own art and design to create more harmonious compositions!