{"id":163,"date":"2014-01-21T22:52:43","date_gmt":"2014-01-21T22:52:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/moorespark.com\/Blog\/?p=163"},"modified":"2014-01-22T23:04:23","modified_gmt":"2014-01-22T23:04:23","slug":"the-art-of-negative-space","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/moorespark.com\/Blog\/the-art-of-negative-space\/","title":{"rendered":"The Art of Negative Space"},"content":{"rendered":"

What Exactly Is Negative Space?<\/h3>\n

Negative space is defined as the space around and between<\/em> the subject of an image.\u00a0 Negative space is one of the basic principles of any visual work; understanding what it is and how to use it is crucial in any visual art, especially graphic design<\/strong>.
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Using Negative Space to Achieve Balance<\/h3>\n
\"credit<\/a>

credit Ruben Alexander<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Considering negative space while planning the layout of any design composition helps to ensure visual balance between positive objects and negative space. Adversely, it can also be used to focus attention on the subject, through manipulating that balance intentionally. When you begin to consider negative space as its own design element, you see the image as a puzzle of interlocking shapes<\/em>. When viewed this way, it is easier to manipulate the balance between positive objects and negative space, focusing the viewer\u2019s attention<\/strong> to the subject of the piece.
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Negative Space as a Positive Object<\/h3>\n
\"credit<\/a>

credit num lok via tumblr<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Negative space can also be used as the subject of the image.\u00a0 In this example you see that the wall surrounding the cross is the positive object, but the negative space of the opening is the subject of the photo.<\/p>\n

Negative space can also be used as its own positive element \u2013 this is called manipulating the figure-ground relationship<\/strong>, in designerspeak.\u00a0 When this happens, both the positive elements and the negative space communicate simultaneously, and generally combine to create a more complex message.<\/p>\n

\"credit<\/a>

credit AIA New York via InspiredMag<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0 This logo for The American Institute of Architects<\/a> shows the buildings of New York as the slots in the key, combining to send a strong message about what they do.<\/p>\n

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Using Positive Objects to Define Negative Space<\/h3>\n
\"credit<\/a>

credit Rubin’s Vase via ArtDocents<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

One final way that understanding negative space can be helpful in design is to consider how positive objects can be used to define negative space, confusing the figure-ground relationship and creating visual interest<\/em>.\u00a0 The most famous example of this is Rubin\u2019s Vase<\/a>, Where the shape of the vase defines the negative space as two faces pointed towards each other.
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\n Here are some more examples of incredible understanding and use of negative space:<\/p>\n

\"credit<\/a>

credit lexlogo40513<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

This is such an amazing logo. The body of the golfer forms the face of the Spartan, and the arc of the golf swing makes the plumage on his helmet.<\/p>\n

The helmet itself, however, is negative space.<\/p>\n

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\"credit<\/a>

credit Lindon Leader via InspiredMag<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

This is one of the most famous examples of negative space in logo design. If you look closely, the space between the ‘E’ and the ‘x’ creates an arrow.<\/p>\n

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\"credit<\/a>

credit Alek Chmura via briandelaney.me<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

This is also a nice example, the image of the road creates an ‘H’ in negative space.<\/p>\n

H is for HillRoad.<\/p>\n

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\"credit<\/a>

credit nashifan via LogoPond<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Ever since I first saw this logo I’ve been in love with it.\u00a0 The face of the lion is so well done, using negative space to fill in the outline of the lion’s head.<\/p>\n

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\"credit<\/a>

credit M.C. Escher via ArtDocents<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

I had to give a nod to the classic, M.C. Escher. His work confusing the figure-ground relationship was instrumental in the development of understanding negative space.<\/p>\n

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Share Some of Your Examples!<\/h3>\n

Have you used negative space in any of your designs?\u00a0 Seen any great examples of negative space?\u00a0 Feel free to share them in the comments; I look forward to seeing what you\u2019ve found. As a special treat for reading this far, here is an amazing artist<\/a> that specializes in all of this.\u00a0 This gallery<\/a> is definitely worth a look.\u00a0 http:\/\/www.dutchuncle.co.uk\/noma-bar-images\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What Exactly Is Negative Space? Negative space is defined as the space around and between the subject of an image.\u00a0 Negative space is one of the basic principles of any visual work; understanding what...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":173,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-163","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Art of Negative Space - The Spark<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/moorespark.com\/Blog\/the-art-of-negative-space\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Art of Negative Space - The Spark\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"What Exactly Is Negative Space? 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