Before looking at some examples in class of how space can be used and before reading the chapter, I had never known just how much you could do with what appears to be blank space. There are two types of space, empty space and active space. Active space is the main space that our eyes are drawn to first. Empty space is the space surrounding the main element, the active space, and often times creates an entirely different image within. In class we looked at a few examples of pictures that used both types of space and created images with each type. These images really showed how if you focus on one type of space you will see one image, and then if you shift your focus to the other type you will see a second image. In chapter one, the author discusses how “emptiness, when treated as a full partner in design, becomes dynamic.”Often times, our eyes will start at the top and\/or left of an image as we are trained to read that way, so designers need to plan how they want to present their message in the image and keep in mind that people are more likely to look in the center, top, or left of an image first. Additionally, we as humans will focus on the things more likely to go unnoticed, such as slight differences and elements of uniqueness. My example of empty space versus active space would be looking at the common room in my suite. When I first look in, my eyes focus on the light colored wooden chairs, tables, and shelves. These objects represent the active space. Then my eyes shift to focus on the entire room as a whole, seeing both this active space and the empty space surrounding it-the rug, the high ceilings, the wall space, and all of the other space around the objects.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Before looking at some examples in class of how space can be used and before reading the chapter, I had never known just how much you could do with what appears to be blank space. There are two types of… Continue Reading