What problem may occur if a decorative shape border becomes too heavy?

It can distract from the main subject

The governing concept is visual hierarchy and balance in border design. A border should frame or support the main subject, while remaining subordinate to it. If the border becomes too dark, thick, crowded, large, or strongly contrasted, it may attract the viewer’s eye before the central subject does. This weakens hierarchy and can make the composition feel unbalanced. Therefore option A is correct. Option B is not generally true: a heavy border may compete with the subject instead of making it clearer. Option C is physically and visually unrelated, and option D is impossible because a drawn border cannot automatically change the paper’s size. The artist can prevent the problem by reducing scale, contrast, density, or visual complexity and by leaving suitable space around the main subject.

This is a Class 9 Art Education question. Chapter: Design and Composition. Topic: Border design.