What is the difference between “negative space” and, you know, just “space”?
You’re a jazz guitarist. Perhaps the space between the notes?
“Negative” space emphasizes a distinction with “positive” space.
A parallel universe … coexisting with ours on another dimensional plane! :eek:
I think this says it better than I can.
Or if you prefer words, how about A Solid Understanding of Negative Space?
OK, consider a painting. The entire canvas is space. The portion of the canvas that doesn’t have paint on it, or at least doesn’t have an object painted on it, is negative space.
The Fed Ex logo has probably the most famous example of negative space.
Thanks for all the replies. I think I’m getting the idea, but I haven’t seen a definition that is as concise as what I’m gleaning from reading a bunch of stuff. Hold on a second and I’ll expand on that.
Yes, but I’ve always called that “space.” In jazz, the space you leave can be as important as the notes you play. A lot of novice players are overeager and play too many notes. Miles Davis said, “It’s not the notes you play, it’s the notes you don’t play.”
Ok, very helpful. :dubious:
Good sources, though it is more giving examples than defining. If Potter Stewart had been an artist he would have said, “I know negative space when I see it.”
I have seen this before and I am doubtful that it was deliberate. I think it’s a coincidence of typography because it’s just not sufficiently obvious. Logo art for mass markets tends to hit you over the head.
So here’s my definition based on all of this: Negative space is space around a primary subject, but it is not merely the absence of a subject. It takes on a significance and meaning in its own right–the space itself becomes a subject.
Now, given that, I think there can still be just plain old space in a piece.
Read the second link, which I find to be a good explanation.
Nonsense.
From a practical standpoint, it can sometimes be easier when you are drawing or painting something to paint the space around an object rather than the object itself. Of course, you’re doing the same thing, but it’s just a matter of what you are looking at/concentrating on while you do it.
So your definition (space around a primary object) is correct. Sometimes, it’s easier to process the outside rather than the inside.
And dude, of course the negative-space arrow in the FEDEX logo was deliberate!
It was deliberate. The guy who did it won awards and is super proud of it. I’ve personally never been very impressed with it, except for the fact that Federal Express liked it so much they changed their name to FedEx. That’s the really cool thing.
It can happen by coincidence with some fonts though, there’s an exit sign at my work with the same arrow, just with a slight gap because of character spacing.
That’s not typical of your rebuttals by facts.
To be clear, negative space exists whether you’re doing something fancy with it or not. The FedEx logo is specifically designed to have an arrow in the negative space. The UPS logo is not designed in the same way, but it still has negative space. It’s boring negative space, but it’s still negative space.
I think what you are asking is why add the modifier “negative”? Why not just refer to the “space” as needed?
I think its a just a term that speaks to intent or importance - for that particular thing, its negative space matters in its interpretation.
???
Because “space” includes everything. The space is the entire canvas, including the parts with ink on them.
I guess that makes sense if you’re an artist.
Colloquially people think of “space” as the empty bit between pieces of matter.