blog
Posted On Monday, August 19, 2024
Author: David Armitage (Technical Director)
If you ask any recruiter-turned-web-designer about their thoughts on white space, you'll get a variety of passionate responses. For those who love minimalism, white space is their secret weapon. They swear by the "less is more" mantra, stripping away anything that doesn't enhance the user experience.
But white space isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a philosophy that even impacts the clean, elegant code behind functional web design. Yet, many designers don't fully grasp what white space is or how to leverage it in less obvious ways. Let’s dive into this concept with a fun, recruitment-themed twist!
Think of white space as the quiet, introverted genius of your design team. It’s not just an empty canvas to fill with text and images; it’s a strategic element that brings clarity and focus. Just like how top recruiters recognize the importance of pausing to listen during an interview, white space allows your design to breathe and lets key elements stand out.
Back in the early 20th century, modernist painters and designers, including the Bauhaus crew in Germany, fell in love with white space. They used it to emphasize simplicity and functionality. This minimalist approach has influenced Western design profoundly, but it has roots in Eastern art and architecture as well, particularly in East Asia.
Steve Jobs, the mastermind behind Apple, was inspired by both the Bauhaus aesthetic and Japanese design, both of which celebrate white space.
In design, white space doesn’t have to be literally white or empty. Imagine a blurred background photo on a website. It's not active; it doesn’t demand anything from the user. This, too, is white space, as it gives the design room to breathe without cluttering the interface.
The goal of any design is communication. Think of your design process as a recruitment campaign. You’re not just filling positions; you’re finding the perfect match. Similarly, in design, you're finding the perfect balance between elements to convey a clear message. Clutter is your enemy. Strip away anything that doesn’t serve a purpose, much like you would refine a job posting to attract the ideal candidate.
Creating white space is like organizing your messy desk (or that cluttered garage). When you moved in, everything was neat and tidy. Over time, clutter crept in. The same can happen in design. You start with a clean slate, but then add too much, reducing the precious white space. Be vigilant and intentional about keeping things simple and organized.
Think of white space like reducing a rich, flavorful sauce. In cooking, you simmer ingredients to enhance the flavors. In design, you strip back elements to find the core message. This process requires patience and a keen eye, much like a recruiter sifting through resumes to find the perfect candidate.
One of the best ways to train your "white space muscle" is to sketch. Don’t worry about your drawing skills. Sketching is a powerful tool for brainstorming and refining ideas. It’s like taking notes during an interview—you capture the essence of what matters most.
The original Bauhaus students were pioneers of the "form follows function" philosophy. They understood that beauty lies in simplicity and functionality. This doesn’t mean all ornamentation is bad. Sometimes you need those decorative touches, like floral patterns or stylish navigation buttons. But always remember the primary function of your design.
White space is more of an abstract concept than a strict rule. It’s the inactive space in a design that brings peace and clarity to the viewer. There are no hard and fast rules for using it. Trust your instincts, experiment, and develop your unique relationship with white space. Just as in recruitment, finding the right balance is key to creating something truly effective and beautiful.