The Importance of Negative Space

Negative or white space helps create a visual hierarchy. Allowing space to set visual pacing in how information is consumed and interpreted. Using negative space takes some practice and is partially an intuitive exercise. The biggest hurdle being the mindset that more space means more content.

Information Overload

Graphic design is about organizing and presenting information in a nonintrusive manner. The human brain wants to read and understand the world around it instinctively. If presented with a wall of text, we risk none of the content being consumed when the viewer is overwhelmed.

Businesses are vying for everyone’s attention constantly and good design shouldn’t add to the overwhelmed feeling. Good design today is a breath of fresh air in a sea of information overload.

Quality Over Quantity

When used properly, negative space is like a room with enough space between pieces of furniture to move around. Fewer design elements in a given space gives more weight to those elements and shifts the focus to important details.

Be Respectful with Others’ Time

If you walked up to someone on the street, how long do you think they would listen before walking away? How long would you listen? It’s important when composing content to remember that you’re asking for someone’s time. Depending on the goal of the piece, it may benefit from information being removed or moved to other resources to create multiple touch points.