Cutout

Cutout

Cutout is a design technique that involves removing or cutting out a portion of a material, such as paper, fabric, or digital imagery, to create a specific shape or reveal the layer beneath. This technique is widely used across various design disciplines, including graphic design, fashion design, and digital art. In graphic design, cutouts are often employed to create striking visual compositions, where images or typography are strategically cut out to reveal a contrasting background color or texture. This approach adds depth, dimension, and visual interest to designs, making them more engaging and memorable. In fashion design, cutouts are used to create unique garment silhouettes, revealing parts of the body in an artistic manner. Cutouts can also be used to create intricate patterns or to combine different fabrics for a layered look. In digital art, cutouts are achieved using image editing software, where sections of an image are selected and removed, allowing for creative manipulation and compositing. The history of cutouts can be traced back to traditional paper cutting techniques, such as Japanese kirigami and Polish wycinanki, where intricate designs were hand-cut from paper. The concept of cutouts in design gained prominence in the 20th century, with artists like Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso incorporating cut paper shapes into their artworks. Today, cutouts remain a popular and versatile design element, used across various media to create visually striking and memorable compositions

Negative space, silhouette, layering, reveal, composition, contrast, collage

— John Armstrong