Liminal Space in Graphic Design

We describe liminal space as an in-between place or state that represents a transition from a past state to a new one. Through the use of graphic design, artists are able to fully capture the concept of liminal space through use of empty space, combining scenes of things that normally wouldn’t go together, oddly similar repetition, or dreamlike images that create the sense of something you might think you’ve seen before. By looking through examples from posters, digital media, and other visual work, our paper will explore how designers use liminal qualities to grab attention, create interest, and continue the viewers to be invested in this extreme abstract work. We could begin to develop this topic in the timeline by starting out in the mid 20th century and researching about surrealism, and what came before “liminal space”. Then slowly while researching we can start to break free of the surrealism and begin to see where art slowly becomes considered a “liminal aesthetics" versus surrealism. Through the timeline we can also begin to look at the way liminal space art has trended throughout the 2000s to where we are today, and how that has influenced different artwork

Learning in the liminal space: a semiotic approach to threshold concepts

Gale Onefile, February 2014. Accessed September 26, 2025. 

This article explores the transformation or shift in one's learning when thinking in a liminal space. The learner must relearn ‘space' in order to learn liminal space. Creative space is to stay liquid, to not solidify oneself, work, or ideas, to stay fluid is to consistently explore unknown possibilities. They view this thought process as a 'heterotopic' space in which to encourage counter-hegemonic thinking--thinking otherwise.

Moveable Feasts, Liminal Spaces: Writing Centers and the State of In - Betweenness

JSTOR, 1998. Accessed September 26, 2025. 

Bonnie writes about liminality within writing, within writing centers. Educational anthropologist Peter McLaren describes liminality as " a process in which participants are removed temporarily from a social structure maintained and sanctioned by power and force. The participants are stripped of their usual status and authority; consequently, they come to enjoy an intense comradeship and communion.”

In the liminal space: software design as a threshold skill

PESTLHE, April 2017. Accessed September 26, 2025. 

Graphic design and computer science have a lot of overlapping theories, especially when it comes to the process of thinking and understanding systems. This article, again, explores the process of thinking in a liminal space. Specifically thinking about an issue, in order to solve it. This study tested students in software engineering, they asked a complex question, then explored liminal thinking and reviewed how the students answered the problem after the liminal thinking. 

The Eerie Art of Liminal Spaces

Daniel Ang Art, October 2022. Accessed September 26, 2025. 

This user explores more of the architectural design of liminal spaces. He discusses a trendy phenomenon called ‘the back rooms’ The back rooms are empty spaces that have humanistic elements, like an empty home, office building, or even empty sidewalk in a usually busy city. The user talks about the famous painting called ‘Night Halks’ (1942) Edward Harper, and how this artist creates this eerie setting that makes the reader feel as if they are not supposed to be there. 

Liminal Objects I: Introduction, Design-in-Practice

Harvard GDES, November 2012. Accessed September 26, 2025. 

This GDES Harvard professor lectures his students on the ability of the object to be present but absent, to counter the space. Delimited objects: one characteristic is not distinct from any other characteristic, because it is equalized to deflect stabilization, simply by not being there. This matters in design because the delimited object theory can be applied to the relationship between text and image within a piece.  

Liminal design: A conceptual framework and three-step approach for developing technology that delivers transcendence and deeper experiences

Frontiers, February 20223. Accessed September 26, 2025. 

This research paper reviews liminal experiences within UX/UI design. UX design is to increase usability, pleasure, and satisfaction, but Liminal Design tries to go beyond  these simple terms and push the boundaries of pleasure. Working with liminal design means creating at a higher level of abstraction. Working with problems as solutions to situations we achieve these experiences through participation. 

Liminal design and the corporate sublime

Medium, November 09, 2023. Accessed September 26, 2025. 

Liedgren describes liminal design in his article as “Liminal Design, as I see it, is the intentional creation of a separate space and narrative to hold a single experience we cannot have in the ordinary.” He explores the feeling of experience rather than what is physically there- or not there. Liedgren says this experience is a suspension of disbelief, or fictional experiences, in other words known as play. 

Liminality

Medium, April 07, 2020. Accessed October 08, 2025. 

Jenna Benit, a graphic designer out of Rhode Island, discusses the use of laminal space within photography. She defines laminality as “state of transition between one stage and the next, an in-between period, typically marked by uncertainty.” 

THE BACKROOMS LIMINAL AMBIENT MIX (Dreamcore Music)

Youtube, February 14, 2023. Accessed October 10, 2025. 

This video explores the concept of liminality through music and space. The visuals follow a seamily endless, empty office, cubicle after cubicle. Each space holds nothing personable, but a singular cream monitor and a black desk chair, all enclosed with three, greyish, canvas walls. Everything in the scene is very mundane, simple, and empty. The repetition of computers, monitors, and office chairs all sitting in, what seems like, bottomless water makes the scene feel dream-like, which is a common theme in liminality.

Best friends

Clay Hayden. Accessed October 10, 2025. 

Hayden Clay's, Best Friends, a 8 x 12 print is a great example of laminal spaces in design. Though this piece is about childhood friendship, it helps define laminal space. A house sitting in a completely empty field is an example of liminal design due to the center focus point on the piece. The empty space is left up to interpretation and imagination. 

Liminal Spaces Coloring Book

Works Laminal. Accessed October 17, 2025. 

This coloring book by the company Laminal Works, explores laminal spaces in a beautiful and surreal way, through forgotten rooms, abandoned malls, glowing gas stations, and dreamlike corridors This book features over 40 original illustrations inspired by the eeriness and beauty of liminal spaces.

Human Centered Design

Lui, Yicen . Accessed October 17, 2025. 

The instagram account IDEO posted a piece titled Human Centered Design by Yicen Lui. This 2025 piece explores laminar spaces in a poster concept. The people gazing past the rolling hills gives this  seamily empty space a reason for existence, which is usually not a factor in laminar design. But the grass stretches up, taking up more than three fourths of the canvas, creating a lonely empty space for your eyes to rest.

Custom Backrooms Series Playable in VCR VHS Nostalgic Art Piece, Case & Tape w/ Labels

PhazonMovies. Accessed October 18, 2025. 

This Handmade VHS Tape made by Etsy Seller PhazonMovies. This is a one of a kind piece that creates the experience of liminality through nostalgia. The film BACKROOMS is a four part series exploring different spaces in one's life that are seamily empty. Each scene in this film is its own mini masterpiece. 

My obsession: finding magic in liminal spaces

Blackman Brad. Accessed October 10, 2025. 

A blog by Brad Blackman Fine Art, analyzes the use of laminal spaces in his own work. The first piece he touches on is an oil on canvas board titled "Morning Fog.” This item is a reflection of laminal time in the artist's life. In the Blog he explains how a specific series of events in his life was the reason, research, and inspiration for this piece.

liminal

Dictionary. Accessed October 19, 2025. 

Dictionary.com describes the word laminal as “Liminal is an adjective that’s used to describe things that exist at the threshold (or border) between one thing and another.In psychology and physiology, the word more specifically means relating to the point (or threshold) beyond which a sensation becomes too faint to be experienced. In this way, liminal is an adjective form of the noun limen, which refers to this threshold.” This definition is important to keep in mind while exploring laminar in a design way.

Taking a Dip Into the Aquatic Liminal Horror of Pools

Breeden John ll . Accessed October 19, 2025. 

John talks about the topic of liminal horror in this 2024 article posted by Gameindistry.com. He talks about this concept originated from youtube and instagram channels posting original content exploring laminal spaces (liminal spaces/archatecture.)

Liminal Design: A Conceptual Framework and Three-Step Approach for Developing Technology that Delivers Transcendence and Deeper Experiences

Liedgren Johan. Accessed October 19, 2025. 

In this 35 page essay by Cornell University, Johan highlights points about the relationship between the world and the commercial world. This paper introduced the framework of a three step design process. 

Liminal space (aesthetic)

Lasky, Jack. Published in 2023. Accessed October 23, 2025. 

In this short essay by Jack Lasky, he discusses the more trendy part of liminal space. He explains ‘the backrooms’ and its significance during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The mass public was experiencing these liminal spaces during lockdown. This aesthetic was relevant because many viewers feel like they recognise these places but aren't able to understand why. I never thought of liminal spaces as anything but fictional, because it is very rare to experience them in actuality. This real world experience we had with liminal space gets me thinking about liminal spaces in 2025, brick and mortar buildings, abandoned to ghost towns. Though this is not directly related to graphic design, it's relevant to UX or user experience, which is a very important part of design. “How do you want your audience to interact with your piece?” is the most important question you need to ask when working on a project. How will the public react?

I Am Drawn to Decay. I Am Attracted to the Old and Abandoned and Dilapidated

Mohsence Laura. Published 04 Nov 2019. Accessed October 23, 2025. 

“Old and broken things” 

This is a beautiful poem about forgottenness. The author explains his deep interest for others forgotten stories and lives. He wants to know what made them laugh, cry, and rejoice- I also want to know these things, I want to have the opportunity to relive a snippet of these people's lives through forgotten places, idioms and ideas. To meet and learn about someone or something through their liminal space. 

Art in Cabell Library

Knoll Philip. 1989. Accessed October 26, 2025. 

This acrylic on canvas, special collections piece hangs on the first floor of the James Cabell library in VCU campus of Richmond, Va. Knoll’s work is a perfect example of liminal space, with the harsh red background lining the canvas creating a space between the canvas and the center point; rock. 

Liminal Space: What Is It And How Does It Affect Your Mental Health?

Neumann, Kimberly Dawn. Sep 6, 2022. Accessed October 26, 2025

Neumann is a known writer in the fitness magazine world, she has many articles written in online and printed formats. In one article specifically, she talks about Liminal space and the effects of this experience on your mental health. She talks about the experience of liminality as a mindset or a setting in your life, opposed to liminal in a physical sense. She describes liminal time as “when something is less than normal about the space.” Thinking of liminality as an experience rather than anything physical is a very different way of defining what liminality is, because it can be experienced in so many different ways. 

Grow Your Own Food

Games Abram. 1914–1996. Accessed November 07, 2025

This “Grow Your Own Food” poster is a great reflection of liminal space in design. The empty space creates distance between the reader and the poster. It feels like the table should be full of people and energy. 

Nighthawks

Hopper Edward. 1942. Accessed November 11, 2025

Hopper’s all time famous painting Nighthawks is a great example of liminal space. The setting seems like nowhere particular, but somewhat recognisable, like maybe you have been there in a dream, or when you were a baby. 

Forever Candles Packaging

Lin Derrick. June 1, 2021. Accessed November 13, 2025

This ‘Forever Candle’ is a refillable candle, made to last forever. This product is not just clever in its function, but additionally in the packaging. The cable making equipment is packaged in a white, composite bag

The Ordinary Packaging Design

Truaxe Brandon. 2016-current, Accessed November 13, 2025

Truaxe is the brains and hand behind the respected skincare brand The Ordinary. The functional product packaging and external packaging design explores minimal and liminal spaces. In 2016 The Ordinary was created, the product design was reflecting the pureness and minimalist ingredient list, with this the brand follows an extremely minimal and sleek look, using cutting edge typefaces, spacing, and color pallet. 

Skims Packaging Design

Gorny Liz. 11 July 2022. Accessed November 14, 2025

Perron-Roettinger, or currently known as Perron Studios, is operated by Willo Perron and Brian Roettinger. These men are the designers behind Kim Kardashian's brand Skims. Skims packaging is one of a kind. The brand follows a minimal color pallet while being bold and a statement. Perron and Roettinger follow some simple liminal design rules in Kim K’s brand. Using mainly nude colors and following nature's ridged yet linear forms creates an easy, well balanced design. 

How Apple Built a $3 Trillion Brand on Simplicity and Emotion

Brand Blinks Global. 20 August 2025. Accessed November 14, 2025

Apple, love it or hate it, you know this booming tech company. Apple is known for their slick and polished designs, not just in their news technology product, but in their advertising and design as well. Similar to how the brand The Ordinary correlates a functional product with matching functional packaging, Apple follows the same rules, creating an experience, a feeling of being on the threshold between the ordinary and the extraordinary. 

Night Gas Station Prints

Clark Caroline. Accessed November 14, 2025

Limited edition 12x12 print, professionally screen printed using only three vibrant colors. This print is exploring liminal space, as well as liminal design. This print holds only four colors, one of those being white, making it a minimal print. The empty gas station is putting the viewer, or the reader, in a threshold position. A position between here and there, an empty space. 

Scratchpad Cellars Winery

Scratchpad. Accessed November 14, 2025

This wine brand does their packaging a little differently, with the main label almost completely blank. With just the Scratchpad logo at the top and the wine type at the bottom, the rest of the wine label is completely blank. The founder and current owner Caroline Clark, is also the brains behind this liminal design. The label invites the consumer to interact with the label and draw on each bottle while drinking away on high quality red wine. 

Vanderbrand looks to Sapsucker's Canadian roots to come up with a refreshing new identity

Mallalieu, Andy. Accessed December 4, 2025

This article written by Andy talks about the identity of the Canadian brand “Sapsucker.” The brand identity system follows strong and minimal guidelines. There is no extravagant desin work or over the top advertising, like for example the brand Voodoo Ranger. Sapsucker's brand identity follows a small color palette  and bold black text. These cans of soda stand out on the shelf due to the negative spaces and lack of design.  This brand identity pallet is a great example of liminal design. 

Lost in Translation 2003 Movie poster

Coppola, Sofia. Accessed December 5 2025

This throw back movie poster is a perfect example of liminal space. The entire movie explores liminal spaces, to create distance and suspense between the characters. This movie poster done by the creative team, evokes that same, lonely feeling. The pretty girl laying in the corner is interaging, but the long empty bed sheets are more interaging. It raises so many questions about the movie like “Is it a suspenseful movie?”, “Is it a thriller?”, “Is it a sad movie?” The liminal space on the poster doesn't just create a perfect place for type but it creates a feeling, bringing the reader closer. 

The Shining by Stephen King, Bonnier Pocket edition

Pearson, David. Accessed December 5, 2025

David Pearson, the book designer for this pocket edition of Stephen Kinds iconic book “The Shinning” explores liminal space in this one of a kind book cover. The red and cream color palette makes this design a simple two tone. The sleek, eerie, yet inviting cover brings the reader in a suspenseful way. The negative space allows for the reader to fill in those spaces with their imagination, then eventually using the story as a guide through those negative spaces.  

No Longer Human - Osamu Dazai Book Cover

Corral, Rodrigo. Accessed December 5, 2025

No Longer Human is a Japanese book exploring deep introspective topics like identity, and the struggle for self acceptance in a rapidly changing society. The book cover created by designer Rodrigo Corral did a great job invoking these emotions through book art. 

Switzerland passport design

Commarts. Accessed 5 December 2025

Since 1959, the Swiss passport has been considered high security, professional, and sophisticated. The designers behind this sleek design stated they wanted to honor the tradition of swiss arts, using a small color pallet and one typeface, helvetica this team created a timeless and multi-generational document. 

Just how neutral is Helvetica?

Monotype. Accessed December 5, 2025

Helvetica, what is not to love about the typeface helvetica? This ancient typeface seems to fit in with anything. It is a productive, timeless icon of what a type face is. It is official, and important. The simplicity of this type gives room for other elements of a design to pop- creates liminal space.