Positive & Negative Space

Shigeo Fukada (1932-2009)

Shigeo Fukada is a famous Japanese graphic designer. His artwork employs a strong use of negative space as well as bold experiments with perspective and optical illusions.


I've chosen three posters that have used positive/negative space, repetition and pattern in his work.

 

Shigeo Fukuda Exhibition

Keio Department Store
1975

In this poster, male’s legs and female’s legs are staggered. Female and male legs protrude from white and black mass and then dissolve imperceptibly in a simple repeating pattern. It not only represent the relationship between positive and negative space, but also is relationship between male and female. Because, married male and female formed a new family, just like the poster, the male’s legs and female’s legs can be seen as a part of each other, except the foot. And the designer use the repeating methods, just like more than one family in this case.

 

 

 

 



World Graphic Design Conference Nagoya
2003

 

Fukuda writes a translation said "I wanted to recreate the interesting and mysterious structure of this picture of exotically dressed children to the full extent."

The white figures are defined in detail and form by red. The white figures are connected bodies and form a circular whole which applied the use of repetition. The concept of this design is creative, and the joy/humor is inherent in the connecte

d bodies.

 

Shigeo Fukuda Exhibition - 1986

 

In this poster, Fukuda creates an optical illusion in his work. I really admires Fukuda's techniques of playing with positive/negative space and repetition. When we put our focus on the black pattern, we see two pair of legs. In between the legs, it clearly form a women figure in a long dress. I notice that many of Fukuda's work plays with the male and female's "leg". Looking the two positive and negative space together, I see three women in dress and two naked women.