Response to the article "Space"

I've never given much thought to space and background in design prior to this article. I found it interesting that "space" rather than the image itself shapes the design. How much space we use and where and how we use it all have their own contextual meaning. The different uses of space, just like with any other design elements, construct a message. Although, we often think of design and art as free flowing and expression based, the use of space does construct a pattern artists follow. Simple things like positioning the image in the center of the design or off to one side are also linked with how much space we want in our design. It is interesting to think what artists are trying to achieve by leaving this "space" empty. I also liked the way the article incorporated expensive boutiques and stores as examples and referenced how spacious they are. Prior to reading this, I've always thought of space as incomplete, or unfinished. However, with the descriptions in the article, I understand how the use of space creates elegance and a basic need. It's an imperative part of design, often times overlooked.