The term "white space" in graphic design really refers to the blank or unused space between the elements of your Web site. It doesn't necessarily have to be white, and in fact, it is usually best to have your blank space blend with the colors and theme of your page.
In general, your white space is going to be the same color as the background of your site. So it pays to put some thought into what this will be, as it will both complement and contrast with your text and graphics.
If you consider the psychology of color when designing your site, white is perceived as bright and fresh, producing a sense of space or highlight important information. In that respect, white is a a great "color" to use for your white space (and background). On the other hand, white can been seen as sterile or cold, and even boring. So, if you're going to have a lot of space between elements, or if your other elements aren't colorful, you might use a warmer background color, one that is inviting, relaxing, and calming.
You want to be careful, too, not to mix too many colors on one page. This will make it hard for your site visitors to know what to look at first. Once again, weight plays an issue as well. A excess of darker colors or a combination of too many colors can make your site appear heavy and overloaded, which will cancel out the highlighting purpose of white space. But too much white can have a negative effect as well. Without some accent color to help organize elements, it may appear that your graphics or text were placed where ever they landed with no plan or scheme. In other words, there will be no direction to guide your eyes around the page.
So, your white space doesn't have to be, often times isn't, always white. But whatever the color, the principle of white space is still the same. Use it to highlight important aspects of your page, make test easy to read and interpret, and organize the sections of your page for easy navigation.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Weight and Your Web Page
Did you know that objects on your Web page can be too heavy? Weight plays an important role in the balance of your entire design. Of course, I'm not talking about physical weight, but rather the perceived weight of an object based on its size and placement.
Obviously, images that are too small will be hard to see and ineffective in their role as complements to your text or theme. But images that are too large will overwhelm your site visitors and take away from the information that you present. Remember that images should never be so large that you have to scroll vertically or horizontally to see the entire picture. Most will be much more effective in a much smaller size.
In general, the size of your images should be large enough to see any details but small enough so that your eye can comprehend the subject or "point" without a lot of effort. If you want to emphasize a particular object, such as your logo or your business name, you can use white space to set it apart from other graphics and text rather than make it really big and filling the screen.
Overall, think about balance. Too much text is boring, too many large graphics are confusing and hard to understand. A good mix of these elements along with just the right amount of white space will give your page a feeling that everything was placed intentionally under a well thought out plan. Your visitors will enjoy browsing your site, and your business will be portrayed a one that takes time focus on customer or client needs.
There's no hard and fast rule to achieving this kind of balance. It's really a matter of experimenting with the design, browsing other sites to determine what works and what doesn't, and asking others to preview your page and offer their comments. Remember that most of your site visitors won't know a lot about the specific elements of your design - they'll only know whether your site is attractive, engaging, and easy-to-read.
Obviously, images that are too small will be hard to see and ineffective in their role as complements to your text or theme. But images that are too large will overwhelm your site visitors and take away from the information that you present. Remember that images should never be so large that you have to scroll vertically or horizontally to see the entire picture. Most will be much more effective in a much smaller size.
In general, the size of your images should be large enough to see any details but small enough so that your eye can comprehend the subject or "point" without a lot of effort. If you want to emphasize a particular object, such as your logo or your business name, you can use white space to set it apart from other graphics and text rather than make it really big and filling the screen.
Overall, think about balance. Too much text is boring, too many large graphics are confusing and hard to understand. A good mix of these elements along with just the right amount of white space will give your page a feeling that everything was placed intentionally under a well thought out plan. Your visitors will enjoy browsing your site, and your business will be portrayed a one that takes time focus on customer or client needs.
There's no hard and fast rule to achieving this kind of balance. It's really a matter of experimenting with the design, browsing other sites to determine what works and what doesn't, and asking others to preview your page and offer their comments. Remember that most of your site visitors won't know a lot about the specific elements of your design - they'll only know whether your site is attractive, engaging, and easy-to-read.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
5 Tips to Incorporate White Space Into Your Text
White space in a Web site isn't just about appearances. It is a tool that also helps your text to be easily read by your site visitors. Margins, line spacing, and even the space between characters are all areas where white space is helpful if you want your visitors to actually read the information you've displayed for them. Here's a couple of tips:
1. Consider your page margins. Rarely do you want text or even graphics to stretch across the entire width of a screen. Even with a small 14" screen, readers will have difficulty following lines of text from one side to the other. Set page margins to give your site a border of blank space to help keep your content contained within a section of the screen that your visitors can easily view.
2. Long lines of text are hard to read, especially on a computer screen. Consider putting your text into columns with white space between, or contain the text in smaller segments bordered by white space. Remember that people tend to process words in blocks rather than single words, so block your sentences for them with white space.
3. Watch the proximity between your text and graphics. In most cases, you should always surround your graphics with white space. Even captions for pictures should be spaced far enough away from the graphic so that the words don't "bleed" together with the graphic. This will also help you emphasize objects on your page and give balance to site as a whole.
4. Consider your font spacing between letters. If the letters appear scrunched together, the words will be hard to read. You may have to adjust the spacing between characters to create white space between characters. At the same time, letters that are too far apart will also make it difficult for the eye to put those letters together as a word. Watch for this as well.
5. Think about the spacing between lines. Single spaced lines run together and make it hard to read, so include a small amount of white space between your sentences to add some separation. Again, too much space will interrupt the flow for readers.
If some of these concepts don't make sense to you, try visiting random Web sites and evaluate the pages for these items. You'll soon realize how the right blend of white space between words, sentences and paragraphs creates a smooth and organized reading experience. Remember, the easier the page is to read, the longer your visitors will stay and browse!
1. Consider your page margins. Rarely do you want text or even graphics to stretch across the entire width of a screen. Even with a small 14" screen, readers will have difficulty following lines of text from one side to the other. Set page margins to give your site a border of blank space to help keep your content contained within a section of the screen that your visitors can easily view.
2. Long lines of text are hard to read, especially on a computer screen. Consider putting your text into columns with white space between, or contain the text in smaller segments bordered by white space. Remember that people tend to process words in blocks rather than single words, so block your sentences for them with white space.
3. Watch the proximity between your text and graphics. In most cases, you should always surround your graphics with white space. Even captions for pictures should be spaced far enough away from the graphic so that the words don't "bleed" together with the graphic. This will also help you emphasize objects on your page and give balance to site as a whole.
4. Consider your font spacing between letters. If the letters appear scrunched together, the words will be hard to read. You may have to adjust the spacing between characters to create white space between characters. At the same time, letters that are too far apart will also make it difficult for the eye to put those letters together as a word. Watch for this as well.
5. Think about the spacing between lines. Single spaced lines run together and make it hard to read, so include a small amount of white space between your sentences to add some separation. Again, too much space will interrupt the flow for readers.
If some of these concepts don't make sense to you, try visiting random Web sites and evaluate the pages for these items. You'll soon realize how the right blend of white space between words, sentences and paragraphs creates a smooth and organized reading experience. Remember, the easier the page is to read, the longer your visitors will stay and browse!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Convey Elegance Through Your Site
In design, white space is used for more than just separating graphics from text. It is used as subtle yet effective way to convey style and status. Incorporating a lot of white space in to a design suggest elegance, sophistication, and refinement, while a busier, more cluttered design communicates lower cost and lower quality.
The cosmetics industry is known for its use of white space to imply a high quality and expensive product, one that is especially reserved for those who appreciate the value of quality and excellence. The product and the brand is expected to speak for itself.
It really pays to understand this concept when incorporating white space in your design. If your product or service is designed for customers or clients who have more disposable income to spend, then your designs should reflect that to attract those customers. However, if your product is targeted to those who are looking for value without spending a lot of money, then you will want to be careful not to convey too much sophistication or you risk turning away customers who might believe they can't afford your product.
The cosmetics industry is known for its use of white space to imply a high quality and expensive product, one that is especially reserved for those who appreciate the value of quality and excellence. The product and the brand is expected to speak for itself.
It really pays to understand this concept when incorporating white space in your design. If your product or service is designed for customers or clients who have more disposable income to spend, then your designs should reflect that to attract those customers. However, if your product is targeted to those who are looking for value without spending a lot of money, then you will want to be careful not to convey too much sophistication or you risk turning away customers who might believe they can't afford your product.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Organizing With White Space
One aspect of good Web design that many people don't think a lot about is white space. That's the area on a page that is left "untouched" by graphics and type. It's not necessarily white - it can be any color, but it is space that is basically blank. White space is a visually important element because it separates lines of type, columns, graphics, and figures.
Achieving the correct balance of white space can be somewhat of an art. Too much empty space makes a page look boring and empty. It might give the impression that the Web site's owner doesn't have enough interesting things to tell its customers. But too little white space leaves pages feeling cluttered and jumbled together. When visitors see a page full of words and graphics with little or no separation, they won't know where to look first.
By using white space to divide and organize your Web site, you can easily guide your site visitors to the most important information you are presenting. When used correctly, white space will enhance your site’s usability and give your customers a clear, logical picture of who you are and what you can do for them. They will feel more comfortable browsing because the information is easy to read and they can navigate through your pages without being bombarded with too much information or commotion.
Achieving the correct balance of white space can be somewhat of an art. Too much empty space makes a page look boring and empty. It might give the impression that the Web site's owner doesn't have enough interesting things to tell its customers. But too little white space leaves pages feeling cluttered and jumbled together. When visitors see a page full of words and graphics with little or no separation, they won't know where to look first.
By using white space to divide and organize your Web site, you can easily guide your site visitors to the most important information you are presenting. When used correctly, white space will enhance your site’s usability and give your customers a clear, logical picture of who you are and what you can do for them. They will feel more comfortable browsing because the information is easy to read and they can navigate through your pages without being bombarded with too much information or commotion.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Millikin Regional Entrepreneurship Network Clients Participate in Innovate Illinois Competition
Two Central Illinois businesses competed as semi-finalists against 30 other Illinois businesses in the Fourth Annual Innovate Illinois Competition held in Chicago on September 26. The Springfield businesses were selected from among other Central Illinois applicants to represent the Millikin Regional Entrepreneurship Network (MREN) in this program designed to recognize high-growth small businesses in Illinois that have launched or will soon launch an innovative product or service.
Innovate Illinois is a highly selective entrepreneurial competition where local companies compete for a total of $100,000, with the two top honorees (one early stage company and one later stage company) each receiving $40,000. The program is jointly administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Chicagoland Entrepreneurship Center. The Millikin Regional Entrepreneurship Network provides small business consulting services and training through Millikin University’s Center for Entrepreneurship, an integral part of the university’s Tabor School of Business.
Michelle Tjelmeland and Mark Roberts of Communications Made Easy™ and Larry Davsko of Electric Vehicle Technologies (EVT), LLC were accompanied to the competition by Connie Beck, MREN director. Each business owner made a five-minute “fast pitch” presentation in front of a panel of judges. Twelve finalists (six in each track – early stage and later stage) were announced at a reception following the presentations. EVT was invited to join five other companies to compete in the “later stage” finals in Chicago on November 18.
"We were very proud to be represented by two such innovative businesses from our region in the competition,” said Beck. “As current clients and previous MREN Challenge Grant Award recipients, it was an honor to have these two potential high-growth businesses compete against companies representing the state’s other 15 entrepreneurship centers. Our staff looks forward to our continued relationship with both businesses as well as EVT’s participation in the finals next month,” Beck concluded.
Communications Made Easy™ is a broadcast communications system that allows customers to send one message in four different ways simultaneously—web, e-mail, text message and phone. It is an affordable, easy-to-use product that addresses the communication needs of many different organizations, including school districts, government agencies, colleges and universities, churches, non-profit organizations, employers and many more. There is currently no one else pursuing the company’s target customers with a four-in-one communication model. Some customers can be up and running in as little as five minutes.
“Being a semi-finalist for Innovate Illinois was an amazing experience for Mark Roberts, co-founder, and me,” Tjelmeland explained. Being in a room with 31 other like-minded entrepreneurs and seeing the incredible things they are doing in the State of Illinois was extraordinary,” continued Tjelmeland. “We learned so much from our experience and developed several business relationships which are certain to help us gain the national exposure necessary to bring our product, Communications Made Easy™ - The Original 4-in-1 Communication System™, to market.” For more information, visit www.communicationsmadeeasy.com or call 800-605-0082.
Innovate Illinois is a highly selective entrepreneurial competition where local companies compete for a total of $100,000, with the two top honorees (one early stage company and one later stage company) each receiving $40,000. The program is jointly administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Chicagoland Entrepreneurship Center. The Millikin Regional Entrepreneurship Network provides small business consulting services and training through Millikin University’s Center for Entrepreneurship, an integral part of the university’s Tabor School of Business.
Michelle Tjelmeland and Mark Roberts of Communications Made Easy™ and Larry Davsko of Electric Vehicle Technologies (EVT), LLC were accompanied to the competition by Connie Beck, MREN director. Each business owner made a five-minute “fast pitch” presentation in front of a panel of judges. Twelve finalists (six in each track – early stage and later stage) were announced at a reception following the presentations. EVT was invited to join five other companies to compete in the “later stage” finals in Chicago on November 18.
"We were very proud to be represented by two such innovative businesses from our region in the competition,” said Beck. “As current clients and previous MREN Challenge Grant Award recipients, it was an honor to have these two potential high-growth businesses compete against companies representing the state’s other 15 entrepreneurship centers. Our staff looks forward to our continued relationship with both businesses as well as EVT’s participation in the finals next month,” Beck concluded.
Communications Made Easy™ is a broadcast communications system that allows customers to send one message in four different ways simultaneously—web, e-mail, text message and phone. It is an affordable, easy-to-use product that addresses the communication needs of many different organizations, including school districts, government agencies, colleges and universities, churches, non-profit organizations, employers and many more. There is currently no one else pursuing the company’s target customers with a four-in-one communication model. Some customers can be up and running in as little as five minutes.
“Being a semi-finalist for Innovate Illinois was an amazing experience for Mark Roberts, co-founder, and me,” Tjelmeland explained. Being in a room with 31 other like-minded entrepreneurs and seeing the incredible things they are doing in the State of Illinois was extraordinary,” continued Tjelmeland. “We learned so much from our experience and developed several business relationships which are certain to help us gain the national exposure necessary to bring our product, Communications Made Easy™ - The Original 4-in-1 Communication System™, to market.” For more information, visit www.communicationsmadeeasy.com or call 800-605-0082.
Founded in early 2006 after two years of research, EVT was formed for the purpose of commercializing its electric motor technology. EVT has taken electric motor and generator technology to a new level with unique designs utilizing the latest in material science, major advancements in electro-magnetism, and decreasing costs in controls and sensors. The design’s key attribute, maximum torque at any operating speed, has gained the attention of various industry leaders because it can eliminate the need for transmissions, gearboxes, axles and differentials in agriculture and construction heavy equipment applications.
“EVT was honored to have been selected by MREN to represent Central Illinois as one of the 16 ‘later stage’ semi-finalists from across the state,” stated Davsko. “We were especially pleased to have been chosen as one of the six finalist in our category to compete for a $40,000 prize in November. Our association with MREN, in addition to our exposure to other innovative businesses and venture capitalists through this process, will certainly benefit our company as we continue testing and refining our prototype motors over the coming months,” Davsko emphasized.
In addition to its Decatur campus location, MREN has a satellite entrepreneurship center located at the Lewis & Clark Community College Macoupin County Community Education Center in Carlinville. Fund by DCEO, the centers administer a Challenge Grant Award program for potential high-growth small businesses. Businesses can apply for up to $5,000 in matching grant funds in order to acquire outside professional consulting services that will help them “grow their businesses.”
For more information about MREN, its services and training programs, or the grant program, contact Connie Beck in Decatur at 217-424-6267 or cbeck@millikin.edu, or Art Knippel in Carlinville at 217-854-9652 or aknippel@millikin.edu. Information about the Millikin Regional Entrepreneurship Center can also be found at www.millikinren.com.
“EVT was honored to have been selected by MREN to represent Central Illinois as one of the 16 ‘later stage’ semi-finalists from across the state,” stated Davsko. “We were especially pleased to have been chosen as one of the six finalist in our category to compete for a $40,000 prize in November. Our association with MREN, in addition to our exposure to other innovative businesses and venture capitalists through this process, will certainly benefit our company as we continue testing and refining our prototype motors over the coming months,” Davsko emphasized.
In addition to its Decatur campus location, MREN has a satellite entrepreneurship center located at the Lewis & Clark Community College Macoupin County Community Education Center in Carlinville. Fund by DCEO, the centers administer a Challenge Grant Award program for potential high-growth small businesses. Businesses can apply for up to $5,000 in matching grant funds in order to acquire outside professional consulting services that will help them “grow their businesses.”
For more information about MREN, its services and training programs, or the grant program, contact Connie Beck in Decatur at 217-424-6267 or cbeck@millikin.edu, or Art Knippel in Carlinville at 217-854-9652 or aknippel@millikin.edu. Information about the Millikin Regional Entrepreneurship Center can also be found at www.millikinren.com.
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