Positive/ Negative
Japanese Notan Deigns

Objectives:

To learn about balancing positive and negative space through the creation of Japanese Notan designs.

Possible ideas:

• Organic/geometric designs
• Objective/abstract figures
• Addition of designs within designs
• Diagonal composition

Requirements:

• Use contrasting colors to easily separate positive from negative space
• sketch designs before drawing onto the final paper
• minimum of 12 designs/objects must be included within the design
• each design must be “reflected” onto the background
• center the smaller square and designs within the background

You should ALWAYS:

• sketch ideas first
• make clean (not jagged) cuts
• balance positive and negative space
• erase all pencil marks
• glue down all pieces

You should NEVER:

• leave too much empty space in your square
• cut without something under your paper
• try to glue your nostrils shut