Do you notice "spacing," too? Apr23 '05

I don’t know what it is about how my brain works – but I’m always noticing how objects or elements are spaced apart – in the 3–dimensional world, as well as the printed world.

It could be anything from buildings to billboards.

Instead of focusing on the object itself, my eyes focus on the space in between the objects, and my brain immediately deciphers if it’s a good use of spacing, or a poor one.

For instance, let’s say I see a billboard with these two objects somewhere in the ad:

Immediately, I’ll notice how the green object leaves more room from the top of the brown object, and less room from the left.

Also, I’ll notice how the brown object is perfectly spaced from the top and left edges of the outer box.

Let’s look at another one:

Notice how the purple object is closer to the brown object, than it is to the green. That bugs me.

The red object, on the other hand, is perfectly spaced away from the brown and green objects. I like that.

Like I said, this process happens with everything I see.

My "design eye" is always thinking first.

Categories: Design

Add Feedback (view all)

Leave feedback

Feedback

Input format: The editor controls below will assist with Markdown syntax.

Status

Sub-status

Your info Name: Email (will not show on page):

Follow new comments via email? (You can turn this off any time)

Do you want your comments emailed to yourself?

Home Page (optional):

matthom is published and produced by Matt Thommes - an independent publishing enthusiast, mobile blogger, content creator, informative writer, web developer from a suburb of Chicago. Never one to conform, Matt intends to promote the effect the web has on our lives, in an effort to intensify, instruct, and clarify all that is happening around us.