Negative space is one of the boldest tools in a designer's arsenal, allowing artists to create strong symbolism and pack surprises into their work to create a lasting impression. While positive space in an image is its main focus – the object itself – negative space is just as important, and clever use of it, be that within and surrounding an object, can be hugely effective.
Read on for 19 brilliant examples of negative space for inspiration and scroll down further for five top tips on how to use negative space in your own work courtesy of artist Timothy Von Rueden. You can click on the icon at the top-right of each image to enlarge it. If your interest in negative space is related to logo design, make sure you also see our guide to the golden rules of how to design a logo.
