Good page design requires balance between white space, or negative space, and positive space. Positive space encompasses all aspects and types of content; on a course page, these objects might include an introductory paragraph, video thumbnail, infographic, callout box, opinion poll, or provocative quotation. Relative to these course components, white space might seem like a nice-to-have. Because it promotes clarity and reduces distortion, however, white space is just as important to instructional page design as content.
The strategic use of white space prevents users from becoming overwhelmed. A cluttered page can distract or overstimulate a user. The impulse may be to fill the available space, but while a variety of educational elements can enrich the learning experience, too many on a page can appear chaotic. When designing a web page, PowerPoint, or document, we recommend taking a minimalist approach—using fewer elements that will resonate with greater significance.
White space can draw the eye to specific design elements, focusing the reader’s attention on a key concept or takeaway: "[w]hite space is a creative and powerful way of drawing the reader or viewer to a particular element of the design. . .It can create focus and highlight design elements by offering visual cues to which elements belong together and which are separate” (den Hartog, 2020).
When you are arranging content on your course pages, ask yourself if all the elements on the page are necessary. Can you remove some of the content and achieve the same effect? Your audience shouldn’t need to wade through extraneous or unrelated content (text, images, etc.) to arrive at your intended meaning. That said, simplicity should not come at the expense of legibility. If all of the elements on the page are necessary, try organizing them into sections; with thoughtful organization comes space.
When used intentionally, white space is a formidable design element that can help establish hierarchies so content is more easily understood. In contrast, the haphazard use of white space distracts the user, increases cognitive load, and conceals what is most important. Ultimately, “[t]he application of white space is both art and science. Maintaining an optimum level of white space in the design composition and creating a balance will only come by experience and practice” (Hedge, 2017).
References
den Hartog, M. (2020, October 26). Why white space is important.
Fussell, M. (2018). Positive and negative space.
Hedge, P. (2017, October 17). The importance of white space.
Maher, J. (2019). How to correctly use negative space in photography.
Moran, K. (2015, July 12). The characteristics of minimalism in web design.