SPACE {element of design}

1. the two-dimensional area in which a composition is created; OR
2. the illusion of three-dimensional space on a flat surface (pictorial space)


1. two-dimensional composition is often broken down into positive and negative space (i.e. figure and ground)


-positive space is seen as the figure or object of the composition
-negative space is the area around the figure, often the background (i.e. ground)

Edouard Manet

     ...positive and negative space can easily be identified when using the silhouette

Kara Walker

     ...but can also be used ambiguously to create interest, tension and illusion in a design

     ...notice how the color pink is used both in the negative space and flows into several areas of the positive space, or figures, of this composition

Better Homes & Gardens Decorating Book , 1956

  

   ...and notice the illusions created through similar figures and grounds

Oscar Nunez Fill in the Cat foam furniture

-intentional use of positive/negative space can create emphasis through isolation

     ...and through contrast

2. pictorial space is the illusion of three-dimensional space (depth) created on a two-dimensional picture plane; this can be achieved by the use of:

-perspective lines, i.e. diagonals that converge toward one another

Richard Diebenkorn

-scale, i.e. shapes or forms getting progressively smaller or larger

David Hockney

-placement, i.e. objects lower on the picture plane are perceived as closer than objects higher on the picture plane

Andrew Wyeth

-overlapping, i.e. shapes or forms in front of other forms appear closer

Gustave Caillebotte

-contrast, i.e. areas of higher contrasting value appear closer than areas of lesser contrast (atmospheric perspective)

Claude Lorraine