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Exploring the Power of Negative Space as a Design Thinker

Writer's picture: Ashanti GardnerAshanti Gardner
Illustration by Ashanti Gardner
Illustration by Ashanti Gardner

As a self-described "design tinkerer" (a term coined by a close friend), one of my favorite ways to ponder problem-solving is to think about negative space, the space between shapes and objects. Long ago, a UX researcher and designer introduced a negative space exercise into a UX course to stretch our thinking around how to problem solve. What I learned is that problem-solving is more than thinking outside the box; it’s not about the box at all. To innovate, we had to become better problem-solvers.


The core idea was straightforward: innovation is about uncovering what has yet to be discovered and the emergence of new ideas. However, to make those discoveries, we must look beyond what we see in front of us. This concept became even more interesting when I came across the Cynefin framework (Snowden, 2007), which explores how we approach problems based on what we know and do not know. How these two ideas—negative space and Cynefin—intersected made me think about how I could visualize all of this.


I created the following visuals. While they might be abstract, I hope these visuals help convey the concept of approaching problem-solving with a touch of negative space.


 
A black chair sitting on a black chair against a white background.
IIn the first image, a simple chair represents the clear, straightforward problems we encounter. Just as we can see the chair and identify its issues, these problems have obvious solutions.

The Known Known: Simplicity and Easy Solutions


The first image is a simple chair—a known. We immediately recognize this, and the problem is apparent. Perhaps the chair has a scratch, or the paint is peeling. The solution is easy: sand it down, repaint it—nothing too complicated. This reflects an apparent problem in the Cynefin framework (Snowden, 2007), where we understand the cause and effect clearly, and there is an easy solution to resolve the issue.














 

The Known Unknown: Exploring Complications


Black chair with a red square object underneath it.
The second image shows a chair with a red square object underneath. This raises questions, symbolizing problems that require more exploration and expertise.

The same chair is still in the second image, but now a red square object is underneath it. This is a known unknown—we recognize the chair, but the square object raises questions: Why is it there? Who put it there? Should it be removed? At this point, the problem is no longer straightforward. It does not feel impossible to solve, but we need more expertise or input from others to figure out what to do. We need more analysis and probing. This scenario fits into the complicated domain of the Cynefin framework, where we know we do not have all the answers and might need outside help to get to the solution.













 

The Unknown Unknown: Experimentation and Discovery


Black negative  space around the chair.
In the third image, the chair is not the focus, leaving negative space. This represents the complex problems where solutions are not apparent, and we must experiment and explore.

Now, we move to the third image. Here, the chair seems to have disappeared, and instead of being focused on the chair, we are focused on the emptiness around the chair—what I think of as negative space. This represents the unknown unknowns, a more abstract and complex problem.


In the Cynefin framework, this would be the complex domain where the solution is not apparent, and you may need to experiment to see what works and what new ideas emerge. You might need to test different approaches, fail a few times, and iterate until something emerges.


The process of experimentation allows for discovery and emergence. You will value curiosity, exploration, and learning from intelligent failures. Often times, these "unknown unknowns" disrupt the status quo. On the other hand, some become complacent and lean into the way everything has always been done. Suddenly, a product or service turns their industry upside down. Think about the fall of Blockbuster and Kodak.




 

Black space. The chair is no longer visible.
The final visual depicts a chaotic cloud, signifying unpredictable and high-stakes problems that require quick, often risky decisions.

The Unknowable: Chaos and Disorderliness


In the final visual, I imagine a chaotic cloud representing the unknowables. This space feels unpredictable, and nothing in your life has prepared you for what lies ahead. This would fall under the chaotic domain in the Cynefin framework, where everything is disorderly, and you are forced to act fast to regain control.


In a time of chaos, how you act might be considered risky, and the solutions may be untested and unclear. In these situations, most people do what they can to rely on the expertise of others and hope for the best. Chaos is unpredictable. Think about the 9/11 attack - the New York mayor and emergency personnel had to act and respond fast.








 

Negative Space as a Visual Tool for Innovation


As many problems are all around us, there are also many unknown and emerging ideas around us. Whether the challenge is simple, complicated, complex or chaotic, understanding how to work with negative space helps us embrace uncertainty and take shape of what might be. The negative space, those empty areas around or between objects, is a powerful metaphor for problem-solving. By focusing not just on what we see but also on what is hidden, we can uncover new opportunities and innovate in ways we had not imagined.


Please share below your comments and thoughts.


References

Snowden, D. J. (2007). The Cynefin Framework. Cognitive Edge. https://www.cognitive-edge.com/cynefin/


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