Nowadays the majority of the websites deliver huge amounts of information, and sometimes that transforms into a messy and complex layout that cause your readers to miss the focus of what they are looking for in your website, feel uncomfortable and finally leaving, thats why the need of designers to create extremely clear layouts, and understanding how white space works it’s a key ingredient, so read on!
First of all, what is white space?
White space, also known as negative space, is the spacing between different elements (graphics, columns, images, text, etc) which contains nothing. You shouldn’t think this as a space where you didn’t create content, but rather a key ingredient in your site layout. As Jan Tschichold wrote “White Space is to be regarded as an active element, not a passive background.”
It’s called white space but it doesn’t mean that is has to be white. The blank space may be filled with any color as long as it is free of any elements.
Some designers don’t consider white space such an important factor in their designs as they should and thats the reason why there are some cluttered and really unpractical websites.
We use it to space out content, to achieve a greater readability and usability making things easier to read and giving the reader a better user experience. It also plays an important role in the visual layout and brand positioning.
We can separate white space into two levels. These are macro and micro white space, relating to the space between core elements and the space in between the smaller elements, respectively.
Google is a great example of the use of white space.
Why is white space so important in web design?
A Cluttered page make the reader feel uncomfortable and forces them to avoid content you should want them to read. The reduction of text creates a relaxing feel, and helps with the visitor in their website experience and the text comprehension. Adding space between the lines of content creates text that is easier to digests.
Gives easier readability and scannability
Guides users on a page
You have between 1/10 seconds to create a visually appealing scene for new users on your site, white space has the very important role of bringing elements of the content into focus and guide or lead the user throw the website.
Creates a visually appealing design and a sophistication and elegance feeling
Good web designs sugests reliability. Cluttered websites gives the user a negative message of being cheap and untrustworthy. Thats why the less is more concept becomes important and is used by many well-known companies. The generous use of white space can even contribute to the desired brand positioning.
Highlight user interface elements or CTAs
White space help communicate with invisible elements of the interface what’s most important, what’s related, and what needs attention, giving the user the freedom to be guided to the CTA element.
Finally, this is just an oversight of what white space is, and what includes, we hope this article help you on your next project to give your readers a more clean, elegant and attractive design, also helping you reach the different goals you’re planning to reach.
