Whitespace in Web Design
In web design, whitespace refers to the empty space around text, columns and images. This standard web design technique adds composition to web pages.
When we design websites for our clients, we rely heavily on whitespace for clean, uncluttered designs. Especially when developing complex event registration websites or Speaker/KOL portals where user experience has a huge influence on the outcome of the site.
Whitespace, or negative space, helps users easily navigate web pages. The ease of readability keeps them engaged and improves retention and recall. Here are some areas where you can easily work whitespace into your web design.
Content
In life sciences and medical communications, content is hard to avoid. Either you are communicating complex scientific data or adding lengthy disclaimers every time you mention your product by its commercial name. You can manage large amounts of content by breaking it up into smaller chunks and adding section breaks between short paragraphs.
Shorter content is less overwhelming. Readers are more likely to read, retain and recall all of the information on the page if it is delivered in brief format.
Text
In addition to the spacing around navigation, buttons, headers, images and columns, whitespace also refers to the space between letters, lines of text and paragraphs. This is what makes your copy legible and readable. The space between text gives your mind time to process what it is reading.
Modern Design
Increasing whitespace is a long standing technique that aligns with modern trends in web design. It will keep your site looking modern and clean. As web design trends continue to lean toward flat design and parallax scrolling, these modern, 3 dimensional design techniques become easier to accomplish with a simple layout that involves less content and more whitespace.
Responsive Web Design
In addition to a more modern design, whitespace makes responsive web design and programming easier. In responsive web design, multiple versions of one image need to be created in varying sizes and orientations. The code then calls on different sized images depending on the screen size of the device the website site is being viewed on.
The less cluttered the design, the less work your developer has to do to implement responsive web design.
Conclusion
We know there are an overwhelming number of contributors involved in creating websites for life sciences and medical communications. And, more often than not, if there’s whitespace on the page they will find a way to fill it.
We recommend clearly communicating your objectives to all stakeholders before you begin any design. Make sure they understand the impact of whitespace on the user experience. And the impact of the user experience on the success of the website. Whether your objectives are metrics, attendee registration or training, user experience will have the highest impact on your success. Whitespace can be your most valuable tool to keeping your audience engaged.
Creative MediaWorks offers custom web development, graphic design and print solutions to the Life Science industry and their agencies with a focus on quality, deadline and accuracy. We achieve our quality standards through defined workflow processes, direct access to on-staff project talent, proofreading and quality assurance expertise backed by an uncompromising commitment to the most responsive customer service in the business.
For more information, visit www.CreativeMediaWorks.com
