Maria Berntsen is a designer with many facets. She originally graduated in economics, but then studied architecture at both the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts' School of Architecture and l'École d'Architecture de Bordeaux in France.

She has also taught at Danmarks Designskole. Maria Berntsen has had her own design studio since 1992 and has designed everything from furniture to applied art for both Danish and foreign firms.

Balance is the first product designed by the succesfull designer for Holmegaard.