172: Thou shall think of white space as a color and use it positively

Commentary I find the employment of white space in any design is a crucial factor to the design’s success and its usage should be a consideration from the outset. I’m not just talking margins here but factoring in white as a part of the layout so that the elements of the page are separated, framed, and supported. In addition, the positioning and control of white space will lead the reader through the design, subtly being taken by the hand through the content. When working on books with predominantly photographic content, rather than design the layout with the picture’s format as the priority, I think about how the white space can work with each specific picture so it can be presented at its best. Try experimenting with different layouts, using a single image—you will be surprised the extent to which white space can alter the mood, pacing, and presentation of the content. PD