Negative space in design
One of my favorite things about designing is applying the concepts into practice. And when I come across a philosophical concept that crosses multiple genres, it makes me feel just a little bit smarter. Like this quote from Zen in the Martial Arts, “Compare doing nothing to a pause in music, A pause is not a lack of music, it is an integral part of the composition”
We can say the same thing with design. Let me elaborate. In design, this pause is known as negative space. Some people call it ‘white space’ and I am not some people. And that negative space does not have to be white, it can be other colors. A really good example of negative space in design in the Fed Ex logo. Have you ever noticed that there is an arrow in the logo?
Since many people who are on my website is interested in websites and also designing their own Instagram feed, I’ll narrow down my negative space discussion to that and then conclude it with how this ‘space in between’ applies in yoga as well.
Negative Space in Websites.
It's not just about leaving blank areas; it's the strategic use of breathing room that makes everything pop! Imagine negative space as the pause between musical notes—essential for harmony. See, it's not just about filling every pixel; it's about letting elements have their moment of glory. Like I said earlier, negative space does not have to be white - it can be colors and patterns. Obviously if you’re using patterns as negative space, I don’t why you’re reading this because you already have mad design skills.
So it’s not quite like minimalism but if that’s your style - then go for it. It simply is about making it easier to people to focus instead of getting distracted. Here are some websites that I am inspired by that has a different take on negative space by using color and patterns.
https://junioneda.com/
https://bettywang.studio/
Negative space when designing graphics
Just like your calendar, remember to give space. This does not necessarily mean that the image on the right is wrong and the image on the left is right. It all depends on how you want the graphic to feel and what do you want the intention of the graphic to be. If you want folks to read the graphic, then the image on the left makes sense. But if you’re going for the feeling of ‘strained’ then, the image on the right is probably the way to go. See, there is not one way to do it but you have to bring it back to how you want the image to feel. After all, the image will be interacting with others on the gram, unless of course you are posting in secret.
An example of negative space around the text
Another graphic from Canva. Personally, I am not a fan of this. Besides, obviously the use of the bendy yogi photo, the way it is laid out contradicts the message. My eye does not rest on the photo or the information shared.
A graphic from Canva that uses minimal negative for a strained graphic probably to generate a sense of urgency to shop. Eventhough I am not a fan of capitalism, what I do like is that this graphic has a point of view.
Here’s what I would do instead. The first change I made was making the background darker to focus focus the attention on the message. The second change I made was create more space around the text but reduce the space between the lines.
Because many of you here are interested in yoga as I am, consider the negative space as the pause in between the breath. Sometimes we intentionally pause after the inhales and exhales. And we do that to regulate our nervous system. And sometimes we leave very little pause like the Kapalabhati breath, to generate energy in our body. And I think Sutra 1.2 is one of many sutras that describe this best: Yogas citta vrtti nirodhah: yoga is the cessation of the modifications, or fluctuations, of the mind.
The next time you are designing, I leave you with this: Less is less and more is more. Not less is more.
