Every artwork exists in space. Understanding the relationship between solid form and empty space is fundamental to all visual media, from sculpture and architecture to graphic design and photography.
Positive and negative space are equals, not hierarchy. Beginning artists focus on rendering the object; master artists understand that space around and between objects is equally important. The emptiness isn't "empty"—it's shaped by the forms that bound it. A vase is defined as much by the empty space it contains as by the clay forming its walls. A building is experienced as much through the voids (rooms, courtyards, passages) as through the walls.
Proximity is a powerful compositional tool. Elements close together feel related. Elements far apart feel separate or independent. Spacing creates meaning: crowded elements feel urgent or chaotic, widely spaced elements feel isolated or monumental. In typography, letter spacing and line spacing affect readability and emotional tone. Generous spacing feels luxurious; tight spacing feels economical.
Overlap creates depth. When forms overlap in a two-dimensional image, we interpret them as existing at different depths in space. This is perspective's foundation: overlapping elements signal recession into space. Size change reinforces this—distant objects appear smaller. The combination of overlap and scale creates convincing three-dimensional space on flat surfaces.
Layering adds dimensionality. Think of composition as multiple transparent planes stacked in space. Foreground, middle ground, and background aren't incidental—they're structural decisions. A strong composition has clear layering. Your eye knows where to look because depth is organized. Weak composition has confusing layering where figure and background compete.
Void and breathing room are experiential necessities. A page filled entirely with typography is unreadable. A gallery wall packed with paintings creates visual fatigue. Generous margins and white space aren't wasted—they're essential. They create calm, allow focus, and paradoxically make your content more powerful through contrast. The space surrounding content is part of the content.