Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Designs

The two basic types of design used when decorating the top of a cake are symmetrical designs and asymmetrical designs. Symmetrical designs are more common, owing, no doubt, to the fact that they are both easier to produce if the chef is inexperienced and are almost always used for cakes that are to be portioned into individual slices. A symmetrical design is one in which each of the design elements is of equal size and shape relative to its position on either side of a central line (see Figure 10-17). This does not mean that there is actually a line down the center as part of the design but rather that if you were to draw a line, the elements would be evenly balanced on each side. A classic example of this type of arrangement is a ring of buttercream roses evenly spaced around the perimeter of a cake.