Achieving Balance

Achieving Balance

Now that you have chosen the elements of your page that you want to use, it's time to design your page. Each element of your page will have a certain "weight." Determining the best way to balance the weight of your pages can be tricky, and requires a bit of practice. There are a few easy tips that can help accomplish a nice balance.

Choose a photograph that you would like to be your focal point. Usually one photo is matted more prominently or featured in a special way to create a focal point. Other photos on the page will accent the main photograph and tell the rest of the story.

Generally, working with an odd number of photos and embellishments works best to create a visual triangle, and to prevent splitting a page. For instance, a layout may have a focal photograph on one side and two additional photographs on the other side of the layout.

Here are some additional helpful tips for creating balanced layouts:
Use similar techniques or elements on opposite corners of the layout.

Use two or three colors throughout the layout to keep continuity. Use colors in opposite sides to balance the weight of the colors.

Try lining your photos up for a sleek and clean look.

Continue borders or embellishment elements across both sides of a two-page spread.

These are not meant to be hard and fast rules, but they can help when you're in a bind!