Why White Space is so Powerful in Web Design

When it comes to website design, there are many elements to consider if you want your website to take center stage. The use of space is one of those fundamental parameters of web design, but it is, at the same time, one of the most underestimated. Today, we would like to highlight the importance of space to achieve visual balance, particularly white space or “negative space,” as it’s also commonly known. White space is between the different elements of a layout or page setup. Some people consider it a waste of precious screen real estate but keep in mind that this is an active element and not just a passive background. It doesn’t necessarily have to be white, and it can be any color, a background image, or even a pattern. We don’t want you to take “white space” literally. White space is thus a powerful tool in your brand’s overall visual impression and brand positioning. 

 

It’s common to see web designers sometimes trying to avoid blank spaces at all costs, and this usually results in pages or ads cluttered with elements that are difficult to see and distinguish. And in a world already oversaturated with information, this strategy looks counterproductive. 

 

This is why we’ll share with you where and how to use white space in your designs correctly, and help give them a greater sense of sharpness and order. First off, you need to understand that there are several different types of white spaces, which are commonly categorized based on their density. These are:  

 

• Micro white spaces: The space between small elements such as letters, line breaks, paragraphs, icons, and buttons.
• Macro white spaces: These are the areas between significant elements like graphics, columns of text, margins, and padding.
• Passive space: The space between small objects that go unnoticed. They are used to create texts and organize paragraphs or icons. Although these spaces seem unavoidable, they are intentionally adjusted to make it easier for the user to read the texts and elements.
• Active space: Is mainly used to emphasize essential elements, such as titles, logos, or graphics. This concept is usually complemented by the macro space because, in the same way, it is about giving importance to a specific area.

 

Both the active and the macro spaces can completely alter a design; for this reason, we must always use them with great care. With white space, comes power and responsibility…

Nonetheless, all the types of white space mentioned above should always be considered when starting a new project. Some other clear advantages of using whitespace correctly are: 

 

• Usability: Users are guided by the spaces between elements; clear, organized pieces will be easier to navigate, understand and follow. 
• Prioritizing key design elements: Highlighting the relationship between elements allows hierarchies to be clearly identified.
• Increase legibility: Reading a page without any blank spaces is like listening to a speech without pauses. It is impossible to follow and ends up disconnecting the user. By reducing the amount of text the user sees, they can more efficiently focus on what matters. White space slows down reading and increases text compression.
• Creates a feeling of sophistication and elegance: The use of white space allows a brand to be positioned. It gives an overall impression of modernity, grace, and sophistication.

 

Now that you have a clearer idea about what white spaces are and their importance within the design process, we’re confident you’ll consider them when starting a new project. If you’re too busy and want to leave the strategic design elements to the experts, Cheeky Monkey could be an easy solution for you. Here at Cheeky Monkey, our team works tirelessly to achieve project objectives defined together with our clients. We love to tackle difficult projects, no matter the complexity. If you want us to explore the possibility of evolving your digital assets to their true potential, contact us today.