How Symmetry Affects Your Website Design

Balance on a rock
Table of Contents

Symmetry is the quality of being made up of exactly the same parts on either side. When creating a website for medical practice, the question of attractiveness depends heavily on how symmetrical it is. Symmetry can also best be described as balance. A balanced website design helps to make your website feel even-tempered, comfortable, and familiar to visitors.

Imagine getting to a website and being totally thrown off because it just doesn’t look right. Shapes are inconsistent; things aren’t where they should be. It can be overwhelming and send your bounce rate through the roof. Visitors to your website want to know what they should expect. Anything that’s even remotely off is bound to throw them in a totally different direction than you would want them to go.

This does not mean every website should have a literal balance between each component. But, even if you see designs that seem to be unbalanced, often, looking at the entirety of the website may reveal the balance is followed as a whole. Well, unless it is a poorly designed site.

What are symmetry and asymmetry?

Multiple Website In Different Devices As Examples Of Balance In Design
Example of balance in web design

Symmetry takes three forms:

  • Reflection symmetry
  • Rotational symmetry
  • Translational symmetry.

The first, reflection symmetry, occurs when everything is reflected off of a central axis.

Rotational symmetry occurs when all elements rotate around a common axis, and translational symmetry results from repeated elements.

Asymmetrical elements lack the balance that symmetrical forms do. They tend to make people feel confused and uncomfortable. The space around asymmetrical forms is typically active, creating an unpredictable pattern. While asymmetry is uncomfortable, it can be used properly in conjunction with symmetry.

What does balancing composition involve?

In website design for healthcare providers, balancing composition involves appropriately spacing and arranging positive elements and negative space. Each element of your website should work together to make it as attractive as possible.

An element out of balance will appear overwhelming and totally overshadow the rest of the website. The best way to understand balance composition is to think of a fine work of art. This work of art is made up of small elements, each one lending to the piece. Without one, the artwork would feel off-kilter. But a beautiful masterpiece is created with each piece in its right spot.

Using Space Wisely

When implementing space into your medical website strategy, understanding how to view it is important. Space is more than just open areas on your website. Space works in your favor when you see it as working in partnership with shapes on your website.

For example, let’s say your medical website design relies on a large hero image at the top of each page. This hero image takes up a certain amount of pixels. But what about the area below it?

Below you could place text, or you could arrange various images. Whether you choose text or images, you want to consider how those additional shapes will detract from the above hero image. Sometimes it’s wise to give the hero image the limelight and not detract from it. Other times it works to arrange images carefully below it.

What works best for you depends on that specific page’s purpose and associated goals.

Physical vs. Visual Balance

In the physical world, balance is easy to understand. Because if something is off balance, the opposing object will shift or appear shifted. Visual balance works similarly. Visual weight is the perceived weight of a visual element. Essentially, it’s how much an element attracts attention. Visual direction is the direction in which the eye thinks an element is moving. For example, a picture of a woman moving forward will give the visual direction of forward movement.

The best tool to determine visual balance isn’t special; it’s your eyes. When you look at an image’s placement in website design, ask yourself whether it makes you feel comfortable. Every part of a visually balanced composition should hold your attention.

Types of Balance

Symmetrical Balance

Three Iphones With Website Designs In Them As An Example Of Symmetrical Balance
Example of symmetrical balance

This type of balance occurs when equal weights are on equal sides of a composition. This type of balance tends to make someone feel formal or elegant. If you think of a wedding invitation, you’ll have an image of formal/symmetrical balance. Because one half mirrors the other half of a composition in a symmetrical balance, it’s comfortable and predictable for people to look at.

Asymmetrical Balance

Image Of Web Design Mock Ups As Example Of Asymmetrical Balance
Example of asymmetrical balance

Asymmetrical balance results from an unequal weight on both sides of a composition. Oftentimes, one side of a composition has a more dominant element, while the other side is balanced by lesser, artfully arranged focal points.

This type of balance is interesting and exciting and tends to remind visitors of modernism, energy, and movement. While it’s fun when achieved, it can take work to get it right.

Radial Balance

Medical And Dental Website Mockup As An Example Of Radial Balance
Example of radial balance

When you think of radial balance, think of a bicycle wheel. Think of how all spokes come from the same center. This is the pinnacle of radial balance. Since everything comes from one center, it tends to attract people.

Mosaic Balance

A Featured Section Of O360 Website As An Example Of Mosaic Balance
Example of mosaic balance

Mosaic balance is best thought of as balanced chaos. This is because there is no exact focal point. However, all elements have a shared emphasis. While it can initially seem overwhelming, the mosaic balance works well.

What type of balance does a medical website need?

As a medical professional, you must consider your audience in web design. While it might seem fun to create a website that is over the top, patients looking for a professional to treat their illnesses don’t want that.

They want a website that makes them feel comfortable and at ease. They want to feel like they can navigate the website without frustration and truly understand whatever is being communicated to them.

When it comes to choosing the best symmetry for your website, think about everything, but most importantly, consider your patient experience. When you put your patient first, you can rest assured that they will continue to come back to you for care and even refer people to you (using your website).

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Balance on a rock
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Want more patients?

We've provided thousands of patient our clients websites. Why don't you join these successful doctors?

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