Any good web designer would agree, when it comes to aesthetics, that sometimes less is more. But how should you effectively utilize “the less” to help your content stand out?
While white space is often referred to as “negative space,” its use in media is anything but negative. In the world of web design, white space doesn’t have to mean wasted space. The content you choose to include is just as important as the content you don’t.
Read on for more tips on how to avoid losing your message in the clutter.
(Canvy Mockups/pexels)
What Is White Space and How Can You Use it for Your Benefit?
To effectively use your white space, you have to understand what you’re working with. In web design, white space is the empty space left between visual elements on your site. This can include anything from margins to text boxes and images and even the space between individual letters, lines, paragraphs, and columns.
This blank space doesn’t even need to actually be white, but rather, a solid color without any text or images. When done well, incorporating this design principle into your web design can have many benefits for visitors to your site.
Visual Appeal
Blank space on your page improves the overall reader experience. A reader forms an impression of your brand within milliseconds of arriving on your website. Similar to an advertisement in a magazine, your messaging should be aesthetically pleasing and stand out to the reader.
Clarity
Blank space between columns and images makes it easier for users to read and process information. When text or columns are cramped, the messaging can become overwhelming and harder for your reader to comprehend. Simplicity is everything.
Including adequate white space in your design plan creates a natural flow for your reader and allows them to digest the information more easily. If you want to emphasize a headline or text on your page, try increasing the space between letters to break up the monotony and draw your reader’s attention.
Organization
The amount of white space between visual elements is important in determining whether the content is related. It’s like the way similar ideas might be grouped together in the same paragraph. Grouping text and images together based on topic draws the reader in. Utilizing white space between separate topics increases your reader’s understanding of these ideas.
Scope & Structure
Use white space to emphasize important aspects of your message that you want to stand out to your reader. The organization and size of your individual design elements can help create a structure that is eye-catching to the reader.
A popular strategy in the design community is the Z-shaped layout. This layout anticipates that the reader’s eye will travel from the upper left to the upper right-hand corner of the page before scanning diagonally back down to the left and proceeding to the right. Knowing reader habits helps web designers develop content that matches these preferences. For example, a banner at the top of the page, followed by a graphic below and then a bolded headline with text illustrate this layout perfectly. Space to the left and right of the graphic should be left blank for clarity and emphasis.
Brand Impressions
Ultimately, your web page is an extension of your brand. Interacting with your website should be a comfortable, enjoyable experience for users. Paying attention to design principles and intentionally incorporating enough white space in your web design will increase user satisfaction.
You will want to craft a web design strategy that supports your goals based on your industry. For example, imagine you run a small boutique hotel in Utah with gorgeous mountain views. In this case, utilizing white space with minimal images projects an impression of luxury and intentionality. A strong, purposeful design will leave your reader feeling relaxed and soothed as they peruse your website and imagine their stay.
On the contrary, a cluttered, overwhelming design could reflect poorly on your brand and the experience you’re marketing.
Why Intentional Design Matters
When it comes to white space, intentional design matters in crafting a positive user experience in a number of ways:
- Increases engagement—There should be adequate white space around interactive elements such as social media buttons or response forms and links. This helps these elements stand out and encourages readers to interact with them.
- Promotes site navigation—When a web page feels comfortable, users will interact with it longer. White space makes it easier for visitors to understand natural breaks in content and navigate the site.
- Improves usability—Smartphones are changing the way we interact with web design. Not only does your page have to look slick on a desktop or laptop, it must also load correctly on a smart phone. White space on a mobile device keeps the messaging from becoming too cluttered on a small screen.
Make sure your use of white space is visually appealing and communicates a clear message. It should support your organization by grouping ideas together based on topic. Smart design will use white space to sequentially guide the eye from one design element to the next in order of importance. Ultimately, the overall look and feel of your page will represent your brand in a slick and eye-catching way.
Don’t draw a blank when it comes to incorporating “blank space” in your web design. Use these tips to create a web experience your users will want to interact with. And if you need help, contact our custom web design agency serving Salt Lake City, Orem, Ogden, Layton, Provo, and surrounding areas.