Negative space is an ongoing interest of mine. I am interested in the balance and harmony it creates when used effectively within a design. I would like to experiment with negative space within my own work with the intention to find my design signature.
Definition:
Negative space is a compositional tool used in both two- and three-dimensional work. The simplest way to describe it is as: "space where other things are not present."
Negative space, in art, is the space around and between the subject(s) of an image. Negative space may be most evident when the space around a subject, and not the subject itself, forms an interesting or artistically relevant shape, and such space is occasionally used to artistic effect as the "real" subject of an image. The use of negative space is a key element of artistic composition.
In a two-tone, black-and-white image, a subject is normally depicted in black and the space around it is left blank (white), thereby forming a silhouette of the subject. However, reversing the tones so that the space around the subject is printed black and the subject itself is left blank causes the negative space to be apparent as it forms shapes around the subject, called figure-ground reversal.
The use of equal negative space, as a balance to positive space, in a composition is considered by many as good design. This basic and often overlooked principle of design gives the eye a "place to rest," increasing the appeal of a composition through subtle means.
Here’s an example of an optical illusion that uses negative space.
It’s a chalice but with the white space you see the faces of two people facing each other. This is how you spot negative space, with only 1 object but can be interpreted as two or more different things. This is called ambiguous figure-ground perception.
Here is a negative-spaced layout.
See the consistency of the spacing? You can see the objects neatly and can focus on them with ease. The spacing between the objects is consistent, producing a good design.
You can focus on “the box” easily on this image because the object is not occupying the whole page.
You find it difficult to focus on “the box” since you can’t look at the square and the text at the same time because the object is too large and it occupies the page completely.
That is how negative space works, it should help viewers focus on the objects that they should see instead of making their eyes look all over the place. If that happens they might not see what they are looking for in the design.
Do’s and don’ts of negative space in design...
1. Don’t clutter your design Great challenge comes across when we have to put abundance of information to express in a single piece. The objective is to freedom out the information as greatly as achievable to let some form of white gap in the design. The purpose of graphics project could be defeated if one will put entire information at one time as a visual.
2. Don’t over use of negative space Use of too much white space can give the project a look of being unfinished. It is important when using a negative spacing in graphics you look at overall design and what is the goal of design should be and use negative space according to that. If adding more white spacing is the requirement of a design than go for it but always be careful in adding more negative spaces.
3. Build up an Eye meant for negative space There are no rules for manipulating the right quantity of whitespaces. Similarly each design varies from one another so the quantity of spacing also differs.
4. Balance and harmony Create a balanced, harmonious layout. One that just “feels” right. Spaces create a balance in your output. Without negative spaces, your texts or the design will seem to create shakiness in the eyes. Imagine reading an advertisement or magazine with no spaces between letters and images. You wouldn’t want to read that anymore! The negative space helps in creating a balance design.
Brands that use negative space....
Negative space used in web design...
Designers sometimes use extreme amounts of white space as a way to bring focus to a certain part of the design.
While negative space does not always equate with minimalism, many do make, and design with that connection in mind. Extreme amounts of white space work when the designer uses the technique to create and draw attention to a specific thing. Having a single subject to look at in the middle of a sea of empty space is an effective way to make a user stop, look and read what is on the screen. This technique can work with images or text.
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Negative space used in editorial design...
Bridget Riley
Painter
Shigeo Fukuda
Graphic Artist
Long before Noma Bar cut out his first silhouette, Japanese designer Shigeo Fukuda was creating startlingly bare poster designs of logo-like simplicity, often bitingly satirical in their content and always expertly composed. Like Escher before him, Fukuda’s work experiments boldly with perspective, negative space and the visual and geometric interplay between elements on the page, often disorientating the viewer with its constructed depth and irregular visual planes. Unlike Escher however, his creations utilise a minimal, considered line occasionally punctuated with infill.
Fukuda’s trademark style developed from an early interest in Swiss graphic design and its stark contrast to contemporary Japanese work. The limited colour palettes and reductive line work remained at the heart of his work until his death in 2009. Testament to Fukuda’s skill was his induction into the Art Director’s Club Hall of Fame in 1987 – the first Japanese designer to be awarded such an honour – who described him as “Japan’s consummate visual communicator.”
Noma Bar
Illustrator
Noma Bar loves to tell visual stories. With a deft touch he can imbue simple graphic forms with political and social commentary, or manipulate everyday icons to create witty, double- take images that make you look once, twice, three times. With his bold use of colours, shapes and pared down iconography, Bar captures the spirit of a person or the heart of an issue with arresting clarity and humour and his instantly recognizable style has established him as one of the world’s most in-demand illustrators.
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Tang Yau Hoong
Visual artist/ graphic designer
Visual artist/ graphic designer
Thank you so much.
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