Negative space in the context of Rubin vase

Ambiguous images or reversible figures are visual forms that create ambiguity by exploiting graphical similarities and other properties of visual system interpretation between two or more distinct image forms. These are famous for inducing the phenomenon of multistable perception. Multistable perception is the occurrence of an image being able to provide multiple, although stable, perceptions.

One of the earliest examples of this type is the rabbit–duck illusion, first published in Fliegende Blätter, a German humor magazine. Other classic examples are the Rubin vase, and the "My Wife and My Mother-in-Law" drawing, the latter dating from a German postcard of 1888.

In page layout and illustration, white space (or often negative space) is the portion of a page left unmarked: margins, gutters, and space between columns, lines of type, graphics, figures, or objects drawn or depicted. It is not necessarily actually white if the background is of a different colour. The term arises from graphic design practice, where printing processes generally use white paper.White space may be affirmatively an element of design rather than just space left blank.

When space is at a premium, such as in some types of magazine, newspaper, and yellow pages advertising, white space is restricted in order to get as much information onto the page as possible. A page full of text or graphics with very little white space may appear cluttered, and be difficult to read. Some designs compensate for restricted white space by use of leading and typeface. Extensive white space may be left intentionally, with the purpose of giving an appearance deemed classic, elegant, or rich.