A little space goes a long way. Absence can make the heart grow fonder, and “white space” can make reading documents easier.
The paradox of white space
White space allows the viewer’s mind to breathe, so to speak. Technical writer Tom Johnson explains, “The negative, blank space (which possesses nothing) creates a sense of sophistication and elegance. The sense of simplicity and absence of graphics and text is what contributes to a richer, deeper and more complex artistic expression.”
This is true whether the product is physical or virtual. Johnson offers excellent examples here.
When to incorporate white space
Use white space when you want to:
- Frame the content
- Separate ideas
- Define sections of your document
- Provide relief from copy
- Highlight information
Click here to learn more about when to use white space.
How to incorporate white space
You can utilize white space effectively in the following ways:
- Headings – off set with white space
- Margins – larger margins equal less words on a page
- Spaces – add additional space between heading and text
- Bullets – help compress large amounts of information into key points
How do you use white space to display your content more appealingly?