Formal balance is referred to as a passive or static balance around a central vertical or horizontal axis because of the quiet dignity or stateliness and formality that is evident in its organization. In simple words, it is a mirror image balance. Formal balance is quiet dignified and gives a sense of precision.
If objects are alike or are equally forceful in appearance, they will attract the same amount of attention and therefore should be equidistant from the centre; this kind of balance is known as “formal Balance”. Formal balance is also known as symmetrical balance. Formal balance is called bisymmetrical balance(Fig.5.1 A,B) when the objects on each side of the centre are identical and it is called obvious balance (Fig.5.2, 5.3) when the objects are not alike but are equal in their power of attraction. The shapes of the same size and value when placed the same distance from the centre, express formal bisymmetrical balance. When two shapes on one side combined and have the same weight as the one on the other side and placed the same distance from the centre give a variation of formal balance which is not monotonous.
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