White space is the negative space left around design elements. It can be used to enhance flow, hierarchy and impact.
Utilizing white space as a design element increases accessibility through reducing visual clutter which aids pen reader users and people with attention deficits and vision impairments.
DEFINITION: Micro white space refers to the smaller gaps and spaces between individual elements within a design. It includes the padding, margins, tracking, kerning and spacing between images.
PURPOSE: Micro white space is essential for readability and visual clarity. It helps prevent elements from feeling crowded, allowing the viewer's eyes to navigate the content more easily. Adequate micro white space ensures that text is legible and that individual design elements don't compete for attention.
DEFINITION: Macro white space, on the other hand, pertains to the overall layout and spacing on a larger scale. It involves the empty areas surrounding groups of elements, such as margins around a page or large gaps between sections.
PURPOSE: Macro white space is crucial for the overall balance and aesthetics of a design. It helps define the structure of a page and guides the viewer's eyes from one section to another. Effective use of macro white space can create a sense of order, focus attention on key elements, and contribute to overall design harmony.
Hierarchy in design is the organization and prioritization of elements based on their significance or importance within a visual composition. It involves arranging and presenting design elements in a way that guides the viewer's attention, emphasizing key information and creating a structured flow. Hierarchy helps users navigate and understand content by presenting information in a clear and logical order.
In the "Super Seniors" design, the creative use of white space shapes the text into a letter, highlighting the headline and deck effectively. Despite the unconventional layout, the design maintains balance, strong impact, flow and hierarchy. Even individuals with visual impairments should find navigation easy due to the size difference in text and surrounding white space.
Flow in design refers to the seamless and harmonious movement of elements within a visual composition. It involves creating a natural and uninterrupted progression that guides the user's attention or journey through the design. A well-designed flow ensures that users can navigate through content, tasks, or information with ease and without encountering disruptions. Flow is achieved through thoughtful placement of elements, logical sequencing, and a user-centric approach, contributing to a cohesive and engaging design experience.
In "Free Your Mind," the strategic use of white space guides readers through the text. Despite numerous groupings, readers with attention deficits may find this dynamic page more engaging than a conventional block of text, which could feel overwhelming. Individuals with vision impairments should navigate the text easily due to the proximity of groupings and lighter-colored textbox blurbs against a contrasting background.
Impact in design refers to the visual or emotional effect that a design element or composition has on the viewer. It involves creating a strong and memorable impression that resonates with the audience. Impactful design elements can capture attention, convey messages effectively, and leave a lasting impression on readers.
Lastly, "Disturbing the Peace" offsets the centerpiece story with a striking illustration. The ample white space around the story and illustration emphasizes the centerpiece through clear visual hierarchy. The illustration adds impact and interest, while the short blurb beneath it encourages readers to delve deeper into the story, fostering engagement.
To add your design to our expanding collection, kindly forward your designs to abby.orf@lee.net
with subject line "white space design library" in PDF format or include the publication code and date.