Inside Out Design

This is a fun, one-day project for kids that teaches about positive and negative space and is good for spatial awareness. I taught this to my 1st graders and most of them understood the concepts and some of them needed help.

First, positive space is the shape you cut out of the paper. Negative space is the shape left behind.

You will need one sheet of background paper 8.5″ x 11″ and a color rectangle of paper that is half that size 4.25″ x 11″, scissors and a glue stick.

A pair of scissors and an orange glue stick are placed between a yellow and a black piece of paper on a wooden surface, showcasing an Inside Out Design approach.

Start by cutting out a shape from the yellow sheet of paper.

Yellow paper with two cut-outs placed on black paper, creating abstract, asymmetrical shapes against a wood-textured background. This Inside Out Design emphasizes the contrasts and textures beautifully.

Continue cutting shapes from all sides of the yellow piece of paper.

Abstract yellow shapes arranged on a black background create a striking design, resembling a paper collage.

Line up the yellow “negative space” paper evenly on one side of the black paper. Put all the pieces back together like a puzzle. Glue each of the positive shapes down to the black paper. Don’t glue the large negative space sheet.

Yellow paper pieces with jagged edges next to a black paper sheet on a wooden surface, showcasing an Inside Out Design.

Flip over the negative space sheet to the other side, so it is opposite of all of the other shapes. Glue this sheet down.

A person's hand holding yellow cut-out paper shapes on a black background, creating a mirrored abstract pattern.

Abstract artwork featuring symmetrical yellow and black geometric shapes, with yellow shapes forming face-like profiles facing each other on a black background—an Inside Out Design masterpiece.

Here are some more examples.

Three symmetrical collage artwork pieces on a surface. Each piece features bold shapes in yellow, black, white, and peach, reflecting the innovative approach of Inside Out Design.

I haven’t come across a book or video that would go along with this lesson, but if you know of something, please comment to share!

Another similar lesson, but for older kids is the Notan designs. These turn out really cool! You might want to check out this lesson too.

Notan Paper Designs title with black, white, and red paper cut-out designs on either side.

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3 Responses to Inside Out Design

Duncan says:

May 25, 2023 at 10:11 am

HI Marcia,
This is a great, easy-to-understand art idea for kids to do. I’d imagine it is also of benefit to autistic children as well as more neurotypical art students.

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Erin says:

July 6, 2023 at 3:13 pm

Round Trip by Ann Jonas or Funny Little Bird by Jennifer Yerkes could work well with this project.