The Death of Negative Space?

I’m not a creative director. Since I failed the audition, I can’t even play one on TV. And for three years, I’ve embraced generative AI. Though sometimes it’s been a cold hug. 

What I’ve noticed in recent months is the development of a new aesthetic or at least a disturbing trend. As more organizations and businesses use generative AI to create images and layouts, here’s what I’m seeing:

• Crowded layouts.

• Dark backgrounds

• Heavy, oversaturated type and images.

• Lack of brand identification or differentiation. 

I don’t see many of these outputs paying attention to the value and principle of white space or negative space to promote readability, improve visual hierarchy, and reduce clutter.

One advantage of generative AI over traditional layout and design is speed. But being fast alone is not an advantage. Time saved should help us be more thoughtful and careful in refining our output to best serve our audiences and our goals. Also, remember, just because you place your logo on the layout, it does not mean it’s advancing your brand.

It’s interesting – maybe troubling – that this explosion of AI visual output is coming as many organizations work overtime to meet and maintain Web Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA. It’s almost like we’re pushing the accessibility boulder up the hill while an avalanche of generative AI output is pushing back. 

So is generative AI visual output the death of negative space? Is it the dawn of a new aesthetic? Will convenience and speed triumph over accessibility and clarity? 

The audience will decide. As design, marketing, and communications professionals, we have the knowledge, creativity, and tools to make sure our audiences and our organizations’ goals are best served. We can continue to be the clarity agents if we choose to be an active, strategic participant, and we don’t just push “play.” 

Long live negative space.