Principles of Design

positive/negative space• Negative Space is the name given to the leftover

space in your design, the part that is not taken up by subject matter.

• This is also sometimes called the “ground”.

• Negative space should always be designed. – If you look at your design as a silhouette, the space left

over should be well balanced and interesting in shape.

positive/negative space

• Negative space should always be designed.

• If you look at your design as a silhouette, the space left over should be well balanced and interesting in shape.

positive/negative space

• Negative space should always be designed.

• If you look at your design as a silhouette, the space left over should be well balanced and interesting in shape.

Frank Miller (master of negative space) – Sin City comic book panel

Even if you remove the details to the point of not knowing what this is, the distribution of black (positive) and white (negative) is even, balanced

and creates interesting shapes and forms.

Negative Space can also become part of the design.

In the following examples, instead of simply being altered to create an interesting form,

it has become an additional design element or shape.

Negative space in illustration…

Negative space in advertising…

Negative space in fine art…

M.C. ESCHER