Finding Harmony in Asymmetry: Hansung University’s Art of Balance

In the landscape of design, balance isn’t merely about symmetry. It’s a delicate dance between harmony and chaos, individuality and unity. At Hansung University’s 14th graduation exhibition, a standout piece by visual communication design students Chang-Hee Park, Tae-Young Kim, and Ji-Eun Lim not only captured attention but also clinched a coveted Graphis New Talent Gold. This creation doesn’t just highlight design elements but delves deeper into the essence of balance. With Hansung University’s Design & Art Institute as the backdrop, the work offers a thoughtful reflection on “New-Balance / Visual Show.” Step further into this intricate dance of elements, where Professors Dong-Joo Park and Seung-Min Han share how balance and philosophy harmoniously intertwine.

By: Dong-Joo Park & Seung-Min Han

Hansung University Design & Arts Institute, Visual Communication Design Major held its 14th graduation exhibition last year. The graduation works will allow students to experience the entire design process, from design planning to final production. Graduation works will be carried out for about a year, including topic selection, data research, necessity, problem analysis, concept extraction of a new perspective for problem-solving, and creative visualization work based on this. The graduation works project goes through a difficult process of thinking and trying for a long time. There are moments of frustration in the process and moments of wanting to give up, but through this process, students will see their creative problem-solving and design skills improve and grow every year. We thought these processes might be a balancing process that coordinates individual growth and design completion. 

So, the big concept of this exhibition was set as a complete balance full of individuals and individuals, and an exciting complete “New-Balance” created by individuals and the whole.

Balance means a state that gives a sense of stability. What do you do to give stability? Don’t let it lean to one side. If you lean to either side, anxiety occurs, resulting in a chaotic and disordered state. Part and part, part and whole, have different shapes and sizes. When a force is applied to one area, it becomes unstable as a whole, and it becomes incomplete. How can you turn an anxious state into a stable state?

Harmonization through mutual supplementation and coordination can lead to a stable state. There are symmetrical and asymmetrical balances in ways of achieving balance. Among them, the parts that balance asymmetrically are all different from each other. It is not easy for each component to be complemented and balanced. They are entirely different parts with different essential properties, which separate and collide with each other. Although they do not have the same rules and forms if they control the weight by giving strength and rhythm to each other’s attributes, they can be complemented, and the relationship can be reset. This balance corresponds to an asymmetric ratio, which does not give a natural sense of stability due to many changes but is more intense and colorful due to its high stimulus strength. Instead, it creates interest and reveals individuality, increasing attention and presence.

If you look at having a balance as a stage of completion, you can see the growth of each student and the completion of design skills as a balance. Time, concern, effort, and passion for each design growth and completion are coordination processes for balance. The exhibition continues beyond demonstrating individual competitive design skills. It was intended to complete an interesting and individualistic “New Balance” created by individuals gathering, observing, and communicating with each other and coordinating for significant growth and completion.

If you’d like to learn more about Hansung University’s Department of Visual Design, click here.

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