Table of Contents |
Space surrounds form and any other positive elements. Therefore, space is typically understood by negative spaces.
Take a look at the shape below, which is a silhouette of a statue.
Black and white denote the negative and positive space. All the black surrounding the white is a negative space, while the white silhouette is a positive element or form.
Space isn't just necessarily an empty or secondary area; it's just in the background and can be considered a format by which we frame a design.
Space can be used in framing, which are the edges of a visual design work. This variable lays the foundation of the designer's composition.
Framing changes the space, which directly affects the design as a whole, sometimes quite drastically. Thus, space and spatial relationships are very important in design.
The figure/ground consists of two layers: form in the foreground, and space in the background. This allows the viewer to perceive depth.
Space is considered the ground in this relationship, so the figure is either the form or the positive element in the design.
As you can see in the example of full value below, there's a very clear separation between the figure and the ground elements.
In this case, there's no question which area is the positive space and which is the negative space.
Source: THIS WORK IS ADAPTED FROM SOPHIA AUTHOR MARIO E. HERNANDEZ​
