by Brenna Mae

Created on: January 05, 2009   Last Updated: November 09, 2011

I often see webmasters who complain that they don't have a knack' for the design element to creating websites. What most people don't realize, though, is that design skills are a learned aspect for even the greatest designers. Nobody is born a great artist, whether their talents included an easel or a web design template.

In order to create good designs, especially in web design where functionality is so important, one needs to understand design principles. These include understanding color, size, contrast, shape, and what I'm going to be focusing on today, balance.

Why Balance makes Websites Look Good

Our brain likes it. Because of natural forces (like gravity), our natural mind likes things that are even, and seem stable. Something that is the opposite, such as scattered and unorganized, gives us a subconscious tension.

Therefore, visual balance is a key element to making a website look good. It's that extra 'spark' some designers seem to have and others don't. As an added benefit, a balanced design goes well with functionality. We relate things to the natural world, and a natural balance will allow our eyes to see what we're supposed to in an a design.

Types of Balance

There are three different types of balance: formal, informal, and radial. Formal and informal balance may also be called symmetrical and asymmetrical respectively.

Here is a website that goes over the different types of balance more in detail, with visual examples included:
http://www.usask.ca/education/coursework/skaalid/the ory/cgdt/balance.htm
Understanding these types of balance and how they relate to the design world can help you become a better web designer.

How to Include Balance on Your Site

So finally interested in integrating this into a design? The most basic balanced template is the centered layout. It obviously has a content area, and the white space on the two sides, which are even.

Just a content area is a bit plain and unusable. So now a navigation bar needs to be in place. If you look at an appealing layout, you'll notice the navigation menu is probably darker than the content area. This is because darker space is heavier' than lighter space, and a smaller navigation area is lighter' than a large content area. Therefore, the two balance each other out.

The first step is to plan a layout. Include your content, navigation areas, and keep your images in mind to. Use the concept above, and remember to keep your design balanced as you add more elements. Use the tips below when planning

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