Negative Space, LA5.

Negative space (a.k.a. whitespace in page layout), is the unoccupied areas that surround the subject matter.

Negative space is most evident when the space around a subject matter, and not the form itself, forms an interesting or artistically relevant shape.

Example 1. Naturally Occurring Negative Space

Taken from the web via a Google image search.

In this example of negative space in nature is the background, despite it's pattern and colour is the negative space. In looking at the picture one is drawn instinctively to the silhouette of the tree.

   Example 2. Negative Space Logo

Taken from the web via a Google Image Search

In this example, the designer has used a stencil effect. The black areas in this example are the artwork of the logo, while the white, being the negative space and thus making the shape of the giant panda.

  
 Example 3. Negative Space in Film

A still photo from the movie The Dead Girl, starring Rose Byrne.

In this shot, the camera man has used the use of a shadow blocking out half the scene to create negative space, forcing one to focus on the character of which Rose Byrne is portraying.

Example 4. Negative Space in Comics

An old, original Charlie Brown comic. Image found on the Internet.

In this example, the negative space is the background or environment in each panel. Being simple and of only few lines, people focus more on the foreground subjects of each panel.

Example 5.  Negative Space in Vehicle Signage 

In this photo of a Repco, company car. the negative space it the car's body. The bright yellow and white helping the "Repco" Logo on the doors stand out and draw in people's attention.

Example 6.  Negative Space in Street Signage

In the example of this street sign, it again uses a stencil design and bright background. Helping the main art/subject of the sign to stand and to be noticed. The negative space being the yellow background of the sign.

Example7.  Negative Space in Architecture

Negative space in architecture can be achieved in a number of ways, in this example however. The concrete walls of the multi-level car park are broken up by the open spaces of the 'window' spaces  and attention is mostly on the neon sign, despite most of the lights not working.