POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SPACE in DESIGN

POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SPACE IN DESIGN

Study the images below. Where can you see the positive space or figure? What is negative space or ground in the pictures? How can we recognize and read words in the picture?

There are three main types of figure/ground shaping: stable, reversible, and ambiguous.

Stable figure/ground

Viewer sees every mark or shape as a separate object placed against the background. Look at the image below: where can you see positive and negative space or figure/ground?

Task 1. Find an example of  an image or a logo using stable figure/ground relations.

Reversible figure/ground

Eyes can focus on figure or on ground in turns. Both elements are equally important and easy to notice, both attract attention. Eyes switch from one element of the image to another, and the image that eyes focus on at a certain moment becomes figure.

Study the logo below. Where can you see the positive space or figure? What is negative space or ground in his picture? How can we recognize and read words in the picture? What is figure if you look at the letters? What is  figure if you don’t  focus on letters?

Task 2. Find an example of  an image or a logo using reversible figure/ground relations.

 Ambiguous figure/ground

In puzzle pictures one figure can be made of another or several pictures.

Task 3. Find an example of  an image or a logo using ambiguous figure/ground relations.

OVER TO YOU

Exercise 1 Group several copies of an arrow to form a symmetrical pattern. Focus on the relations between shapes in figure and in ground.

Examples

Exercise 2 Choose to letters (they can be your initials). Create a design that uses one letter as the figure and another letter as the ground. The relationship can be stable, reversible or ambiguous, but it is important to make sure it is possible to read both letters. Fit the design within 8x10’ (20x25 cm) format. Use solid black or white shapes without outlining or cross-hatching. You can extend the edges of letter shapes, overlap them, hide an edge (when you place a black letter against black background or a white letter against white background). Do not distort basic shapes.

Examples.