POSITIVE/NEGATIVE
SPACE DESIGN:
Exercise #1
Step One: Create a New file: 12.5"x10.5", 72 dpi (resolution).
Step Two: Use your Rectangular selection tool to draw a border (at .50" inside the file edge). Stroke with 10 point black line.
Step Three: Use your selection tools (circular, rectangular, and polygonal lasso) to create unfilled geometric shapes within the border. The shapes should fill the space, without touching. Do not allow shapes to touch the border. You may place shapes within shapes, so long as they don't touch. Fill the space. Pay attention to your center of attention and balance, within the space.
Step Four: Next, use your line tool to divide the space at least 6 times, both horizontally and vertically. Remember to hold your shift key to constrain the line and keep it straight.
Step Five: Go to the Layer Menu and Merge Visible Layers. Next, use the Drop Bucket to begin colorizing opposite spaces, as shown. There may be times when two touching spaces may be colored the same. Be sure to consider balance in filling spaces.
Here's an "exercise" example done by Katherine Rim.
Exercise 2: Create a new file, with the same setup as above. Use only TEXT to fill the space. Use the Type Mask tool to create text, deselect, and stroke with various sizes of lines. Use a wide variety of type sizes for best effect! Composition, use of space and center of attention are important elements in this type of composition.
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