Which term describes achieving equilibrium by arranging elements so that one side mirrors the other?

• A. Rhythm alone determines balance in a composition.
• B. Color harmony creates balance by matching hues across the canvas.
• C. Formal balance refers to symmetry; informal balance uses asymmetrical arrangement to achieve equilibrium.
• D. Texture is the sole determinant of balance.

Answer: (C)

Balancing a composition through symmetry means arranging elements so one side mirrors the other. When you create that mirror image across a central axis, you achieve formal balance, which gives the piece a stable, orderly feel because the visual weight is evenly distributed. Informal balance, by contrast, achieves equilibrium with an uneven or varied arrangement that still feels balanced, but it’s not mirrored. Other ideas like rhythm focus on repeating patterns and movement, color harmony deals with unifying hues, and texture affects surface quality; none describe the precise mirror-like equilibrium described by symmetry. So the term that fits best is formal balance, reflecting that mirrored arrangement.