White space, also known as negative space, is one of the most underrated yet powerful elements in design. It’s not just about “empty” space; it’s a tool that can add clarity, focus, and elegance to your work. Much like focal points, white space helps direct attention and creates a visual hierarchy, allowing key elements of your design to stand out. A cluttered design with too many small elements can feel overwhelming, but by letting white space take over, you allow the design to breathe and communicate more effectively.
When working with images and shapes, remember that rectangles alone aren’t always the best communicators. Instead of limiting your design to standard rectangular frames, aim for more organic layouts. Use masked images more frequently to create dynamic compositions and break away from the grid-like structure of rectangles. Also, cropping photos strategically can enhance the visual appeal by removing unnecessary backgrounds and focusing on the subject, making it stand out.