The Problem with Whitespace

According to a distinguished Web Design New York firm, sometimes the key to successful website design is negativity. This 'negative' aspect deals with what web designers call 'whitespace' – a major element in aesthetics pertaining to certain areas without content. 

Although it is easily defined and utilized, it is oftentimes not effectively applied. Several websites which are apparently pretty, are actually not maximizing whitespace for better user experience. Probably the main reason for this is how human brains have been tricked into thinking that 'empty' equals 'waste' or 'boring'. But with the right knowledge, this negativity can become a positive element.

Understanding Whitespace

Whitespace in web design doesn't always look the same. In fact – it doesn't even need to be white in color. An obvious example of whitespace would be Google's search engine homepage. All that supposedly 'empty' expanse is whitespace. However, that look makes the multicolored Google text stand out. The user's eyes are immediately focused on that single aspect; thus the action of typing in a query becomes natural.

Some samples are not so easy to spot. Madrhino Productions' (a small freelance design company) website for instance, has a highly attractive homepage with intrictae swirls and fine detail as its background. It's certainly not white – but since there's no content on it, it's also considered as whitespace. The designer ingeniously hid that under beautiful artistry so that anyone would feel instantly curious and get pulled in.

Negative space is also present in image galleries; particularly in grid layouts. It doesn't really deal with huge whitespace areas but rather, this type of design centers on how it is distributed. Gaps and irregular spacing are whitespace as well that need to be maximized for aesthetics and function. Informal or fun distribution of negative space is appealing because it's random and undefined – it gives a sense of anticipation and childlike wonder.

The Golden Rule

“More is not better; and less isn't either.” 

It's a rather confusing principle, but the general guideline is balance. How can web designers and developers know that the site has enough whitespace? That's only the beginning. Start by putting everything in black and white so each element is clearly visible. The mind needs to create a mental picture of where everything should be. Next, label these aspects and objectively decide how and where each piece should go. Remember that the key is proportion:

• Simplify the page design by eliminating other distractions that won't complement the overall theme or company brand.

• Distribute negative space evenly: ensure that there's adequate gaps in between each content; and that these elements are grouped together because they are related to each other.

• Practice equal spacing and line them evenly for a seamless look.

Major overhauls are sometimes not necessary. A bit of tweaking and a few basic changes and the overall layout can quickly be improved. Web designers must realize that negative space isn't something which happens by accident – it is an active and important ingredient to any successful website design.