Effective page design requires a balance between white space, or negative space, and positive space. Positive space encompasses all elements of content; on a course page, content elements might include an introductory paragraph, a lecture video, an infographic, an opinion poll, or a thought-provoking quotation, among other possibilities. Relative to these course components, white space might seem like a nice-to-have. However, white space plays a key role in instructional page design by reducing distortion and promoting clarity.
Integrating White Space Effectively in Course Design
Course designers may be tempted to fill all of the available page or file space with content. While a variety of educational elements can enrich the learning experience, too many on a single page or file may overwhelm learners. When designing a webpage, PowerPoint, or document, we recommend taking a minimalistic approach. Using fewer elements will allow them to resonate with greater significance, as white space can draw the eye and focus the reader’s attention on key concepts or takeaways (den Hartog, 2020).
When you are arranging content in a course, 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 have to wade through extraneous or unrelated material (text, images, etc.) to arrive at your intended meaning. That said, simplicity should not come at the expense of legibility. If all 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 (Hegde, 2017).
References
den Hartog, M. (2020, October 26). Why white space is important. den Hartog Design.
Hegde, P. (2017, October 10). Importance of white space in design. Medium.