tidal-wave-paper-boat-white-space

White Space

No, there’s nothing wrong with that picture.

The vast amount of emptiness is on purpose.

In the graphic design world, it’s called “white space.”

It’s the portion of the page left unmarked.

Interestingly enough, the phrase comes from the printing process; in which white paper is usually used. Therefore, “white space”…is the area left blank.

But is it really blank? And is there any value in it?

Let’s go to Wikipedia for that answer, shall we? Because, we at Tidal Wave, happen to love what they have to say.

“White space should not be considered merely ‘blank’ space — it is an important element of design which enables the objects in it to exist at all; the balance between positive (or non-white) and the use of negative spaces is key to aesthetic composition.”

In other words, white space allows us to see what’s really important.

We know. It’s easy to fill your pages with text. It’s human nature to want to include every last bit of information you have to offer. But when is comes to white space, the old adage rings true:

The more you put on the page, the less people will really see.

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Room To Breathe Norton Antivirus Software Ad

But why stop there? Let’s take the idea of white space one step further, into our daily lives.

If your days are anything like ours, they’re filled with presentations, project deadlines, and meetings, meetings, and more meetings. We’re lucky if we get five minutes to inhale our lunch.

It’s easy to fill your days with details. It’s human nature to want to cram work into every last minute you have available.

But waitaminute.

If we go back to the definition above, could it be that white space enables us to exist? Allows us to see what’s really important? And gives our lives balance?

Well played, Wikipedia…well played.

Whether that’s time away from the office to really create, or time at home with family to get distance from the project at hand, a little white space can go a loooooong way.

It gives you perspective. It boosts your creativity. And prevents burnout.

So do yourself a favor. Create some white space, so you can see what’s really important…on the page, AND in your life.

Sometimes a little nothing makes all the difference in the world.

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