37 Amazing Ads That Use Negative Space Brilliantly
In art and design, negative space is the background space around the main object of an image. In a two-tone image (eg. black and white), the object is usually depicted in a darker color (black) than the background (white), thereby forming a silhouette. Sometimes, the tones are reversed and white is used to fill the silhouette (refer Coke examples below). When an artist carves out a shape in the silhouette, in a way that the background creates a visual of its own, that’s when the magic happens.
Today’s post is a collection of illustrations, ads, posters, and book covers that use negative space in a sublime manner to get the message across. The list includes award-winning campaigns, public service announcements (PSAs), covers of best sellers, and more. Check them out below.
Colsubsidio Book Exchange
Agency: Lowe/SSP3, Colombia
Snow White + Sherlock HolmesHarry Potter + TroyLittle Red Riding Hood + Moby Dick
ITV: Injustice
Agency: BBH London, UK
Philips LED Torch
Agency: Ogilvy & Mather, Gurgaon, India
SANCCOB: Save Penguins
Agency: Bittersuite, South Africa
WWF
Agency: BBH China
Translation: “Saving pandas is not our only mission. Over 10 million hectares of forests have been protected through our forest certification and sustainable forest management programs. Take a closer look at what we do and where you can make a difference.”Translation: “Saving pandas is not our only mission. The combined efforts of WWF and our partners have sparked the recovery of the Tibetan Antelope Population. Take a closer look at what we do and where you can make a difference.”Translation: “Saving pandas is not our only mission. WWF and our partners have facilitated the reconnection of 17 lakes to the Yangtze River, infusing new life to its fragile freshwater ecosystem. Take a closer look at what we do and where you can make a difference.”
