When it comes down to it, spatial design is just using space as a tool to convey an idea or message. It can be done very simply, like with colour, shape, or typography.

Spaces are crucial parts of almost every element in a piece of graphic design- from headers to banners to logos. Creating spaces that relate to each other, or creating interesting ways to use up unused space, are key components to designing around.

This article will go into more detail about how to spatialize your designs. There will also be links to free resources where you can get started.

History of spatial design

Before we get into how to do it, let’s take a look at the history of spatial design!

Spatial or patterned designs have been around for quite some time. Ancient civilizations like the Mayans left us beautifully decorated ceramics that incorporated patterns.

In the Renaissance and Enlightenment times, artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Paul Cézanne incorporated repeated shapes and patterns into their paintings.

It was during this period that designers began using patterns in fashion and interior decoration. Many consider Italian designer Pietro Belluschi to be the father of modern-day colour theory!

Since then, spatial patterns have become very popular and are easily reproduced. They're also considered integral parts of most cultures due to their practical use.

For instance, check out the beautiful Native American jewellery made up of geometric patterns! Or study Middle Eastern clothing and furniture with an emphasis on patterns.

Compound angles

A compound angle is when two lines meet at a corner or circle. The term comes from geometry, where you can use it to describe the intersection of two planes. In graphic design, these are sometimes referred to as “kissing” corners or circles.

When designing anything that requires precision drawing (like logos or illustrations), there’s an easy way to make sure your shapes look good by using solid colours for backgrounds and practising with simple shapes.

By doing this, you'll be able to more easily see how well your shapes look and feel like they fit together. When possible, use strong colours for better contrast and emphasis.

Triangle tips

One of the most fundamental shapes is the triangle. Triangles have many uses, including silhouettes or shape decorations. When designing with triangles, there are three tip styles you can use.

The first is the wide-triangle style where one side is longer than the other two. An example of this would be having one leg that is much longer than the others.

The second style is the tall-triangle style, which has one short leg and two long legs. For instance, like in the first style, one foot is longer than the rest.

The third style is the thin-triangle style, which does not have thick or thin sides, only length differences. This includes both vertical and horizontal triangles.

Which style you choose for your design depends on what look you want the triangle to have. If you wanted a very elegant-looking triangle, then using either a narrow or tall triangle would work well.

For more fun designs, use the wide-triangle style.

Oblique lines

Another fundamental shape used in the spatial design is an oblique line. These are vertical or horizontal lines that do not quite reach the edge of the surface they are drawn on, but instead circle it.

Oblique lines can be made out of circles or squares. The most common use for this shape is as a border or frame for something else. For example, your browser window has an oblique line around it, which acts as a frame. An oblique line also works well for framing off part of a picture so you only see the outside edge, like when someone takes a selfie and adds a thin black bar across the middle.

Take a look at the following examples – what kind of shapes these are and how they could apply to design your own spaces.

This square box was designed with an oblique line going down the length of each side. This gives it a framed effect, making it seem closed off. It also creates more space inside the frame, just like taking away the wall between two rooms.

A similarly shaped frame would go here. The only difference is the height since there’s no floor to put it on.

And one final example is an oblique line that goes up the length of the top and bottom edges of this rectangle. Creating a frame that does not have any walls, just a clear boundary.

Research your designer

As mentioned before, spatial design is linked to how people relate to space. This includes things like where you place an object about other objects or materials, as well as how you use empty spaces in between different components.

Interior designers that are trained in spatial design have studied it for years and can apply it to new projects. They may even have their theory about why it matters!

Some say that good spatial design helps create unity, consistency, and clarity. Others believe that understanding spatial design will help you understand human psychology in terms of perception and influence.

Whatever reason you choose to explore interior design professionally, being aware of spatial design principles is a great way to do so. You don’t need to be designing rooms to understand this concept, but thinking about how space impacts the surrounding area and what colours look best together can come in handy.

Get a designer team

As mentioned earlier, spatial design is an integral part of most logos and brands you see today! It’s what gives companies like BMW their sleek look, what makes Apple so iconic, and what made Playstation such a success!

Designers that specialize in this field are called graphic or visual designers. They are responsible for creating shapes, colours, patterns, and textures to convey your company’s message and brand story.

Graphic designers usually have at least a bachelor’s degree in art or fashion, but some go on to earn master’s degrees in it as well. Some never graduate high school due to how advanced the craft is!

They may learn computer-aided drafting (like AutoCAD) or other software programs designed specifically to create shapes, patterns, and designs. These tools can be very helpful when designing logos or other graphics.

There are many ways to become a professional special designer. Some offer free resources online or through schools where that will teach you about branding and marketing strategies.

Keep it practical

The other major thing that gets people stuck in spatial design is trying to go too fancy or artistic with it. While having an aesthetically pleasing space can help set your business apart, you do not need to use every trick in the book to achieve this.

Spacial marketing is about creating spaces that are easy to utilize for your customers. You want to keep things simple so they do not have to worry about what tool they need to use to interact with your product or service.

This could be anything from posting on social media using their account, to putting together some items for sale or giving away, depending on what your business does.