How to Use Positive and Negative Space in Design

Positive and negative space are terms referring to composition in art, graphic design, and photography. Positive space is the subject or areas of interest in artwork, and negative space is the space around the focal point. Negative space is not necessarily white or empty space, but space that works to support the subject of the painting. Positive space includes elements in the foreground, while negative space includes the background. The balance of positive and negative space is essential when creating works of art, logo designs, web designs, and typography.

The interplay between positive and negative space is essential to create visual interest and good composition. Positive and negative space can build the following elements in a design:

• Rhythm: Positive and negative space create a sense of rhythm and movement through patterns and repetitions. Alternate positive and negative space in your works to help the viewer’s eye navigate the piece.
• Balance: Negative space balances out positive space so that a visual piece does not overwhelm viewers. Positive space is where the busy action is, while the negative space is a quiet area. The use of negative space can also help draw attention to the main focus of the work.
• Focus: A work does not have to be busy to be effective. A composition with a high amount of negative space may be simpler than one with more positive space. Still, the negative space allows the viewer to interpret and appreciate the focal point quickly.
• Dimension: When creating three-dimensional drawings or paintings on a two-dimensional surface, negative space around the main subject makes it pop and adds dimension.

These well-known works of art effectively use positive and negative space.

1. 1. Rubin's Vase (1915): This optical illusion by psychologist Edgar Rubin shows that not everyone will agree on the subject of an image. In Rubin’s Vase, people who see the white area as the positive space will see a vase, while people who see the black area as the positive space will see two faces.
2. 2. Sky and Water (1938): This black and white woodcut print by M. C. Escher establishes a sense of rhythm between the interplay of positive shapes and negative shapes. At the top of the painting are blackbirds, positive shapes set on a white background. As the eye travels downward, the black elements turn into negative space, and the white background transforms into the positive shape of a fish. Depending on which object you focus on in the print center, either a bird or fish becomes the positive shape.
3. 3. Yin and yang symbol: The famous symbol for balance is also an example of Notan, a Japanese design concept that says light and dark need each other to achieve balance. You cannot have positive space without negative space and vice versa.
4. 4. Still Life with Apples on a Sideboard (1900–1906): This still life by Paul Cézanne demonstrates that positive and negative space does not have to be black and white. In this watercolor painting, colorful apples, a bottle, and a milk jug comprise the positive space. The area around the objects, including a table and walls, is rendered in yellow, allowing the eye to focus on the subject matter.

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