Space is an integral part of graphic design, any design that does not have the adequate amount of spacing is a “bad” design. The observer of the design will get overwhelmed with information if there is not enough space. Crowding a page with too much design will make it confusing and hard to understand; there needs to be empty space to compliment the active space. Empty space is just that, emptiness, a backdrop for the design being presented. Active space however, is defined by the space actually taken up by the design. Here is an example of graphic design:
In this example the empty space is represented by the white in the design. The active space is represented by the color in the design. Both the white and the color are part of the design, and they both create an image for the viewer to enjoy. Our eyes are simply drawn to the color in the design first. This contrast of empty space and active space can be seen in our everyday life without us even realizing it. In a dorm room the empty space can be seen as the walls, floor and ceiling and the active space is the represented by the beds, desks and dressers we interact with everyday.
