What is white space in graphic design?

White space in graphic design refers to the empty areas around design elements. This empty space is crucial as it helps to improve the overall visual hierarchy, making the design more readable and aesthetically pleasing. By providing areas without any content, white space gives the viewer's eye a place to rest, enhances the clarity of the layout, and allows key elements to stand out more prominently. This negative space can also help to create a sense of balance and professionalism in design work, guiding the viewer through the content effectively.

In contrast, choices that suggest white space as text, colored backgrounds, or blending images do not capture the true essence of what white space entails. Those elements are integral parts of a design's composition but do not represent the strategic use of empty areas that constitute white space.