Getting Spacing right between UI Elements when Designing Websites! - Basic Design Principles

Summary

In this video, the speaker explores the critical role of spacing in web design, emphasizing how proper spacing can improve the visual hierarchy and user experience. By examining websites like Pitch, Slack, Stripe, Sketch, and Mailchimp, the speaker demonstrates how spacing relates to element size, proximity, and font size. The importance of using consistent multiples for spacing values, such as 4 or 5, is highlighted, along with the need for trial and error to determine what looks best. Ultimately, the video encourages designers to develop a keen eye for design, experimenting with spacing to enhance overall aesthetics and functionality.

Takeaways

• 😀 Spacing is a crucial aspect of visual design, alongside typography, colors, and layout.
• 😀 The Law of Proximity suggests that elements placed close together are perceived as related, and should be spaced thoughtfully.
• 😀 Large elements can tolerate more space between them, while smaller elements need tighter spacing to maintain connection and coherence.
• 😀 Designers should use consistent spacing values, such as multiples of 4 or 5, to ensure visual harmony across the layout.
• 😀 Optically, spacing may appear differently from the actual pixel values, and should be adjusted based on visual perception rather than strict measurements.
• 😀 Trial and error is essential for determining the right spacing range for design elements; it’s often subjective.
• 😀 Start with spacing multiples that are easy to work with (e.g., 4, 8, 16, 32) to create an organized and balanced design system.
• 😀 Spacing around larger elements (like big text) can be more generous, while smaller text or buttons need to be more tightly grouped to stay connected visually.
• 😀 It's important to find a range of spacing values (e.g., 20px to 40px) that works well for your design without feeling crowded or too loose.
• 😀 Good design requires developing an 'eye' for what looks aesthetically pleasing, with a focus on maintaining visual hierarchy and structure.
• 😀 Spacing decisions may vary depending on the type of elements, and personal preferences can influence how much space feels right, but there are limits to what is acceptable.

Q & A

What are the four main components of good visual design mentioned in the video?

The four main components of good visual design are typography, colors, spacing, and layouts.

Why is spacing considered an important factor in visual design?

Spacing is crucial because it helps create visual harmony between elements, ensures they are perceived as related (based on the law of proximity), and contributes to the overall aesthetic and usability of a website.

What is the law of proximity, and how does it relate to spacing in design?

The law of proximity states that elements that are close together are perceived as related. In design, this means that spacing plays a key role in organizing content and making sure elements that should be grouped together are visually connected.

How does the size of elements affect the amount of spacing needed between them?

Larger elements like big text or buttons can be spaced further apart without losing their visual connection, whereas smaller elements require tighter spacing to maintain their relationship and not appear isolated.

What spacing values are suggested for beginners to use?

Beginners are advised to start with spacing values that are multiples of 4 or 5, such as 4, 8, 16, 32, or 40 pixels, to maintain consistency in spacing across the design.

How does the visual appearance of spacing change when adjusting for different element sizes?

When adjusting spacing, larger elements may not require as tight a relationship between them as smaller ones. This can affect how close or far apart elements feel, and designers need to adjust spacing to ensure visual coherence, sometimes through trial and error.

What should a designer do when spacing feels off visually, according to the speaker?

The designer should adjust the spacing incrementally, sometimes using multiples of 4 or 5, and observe how it affects the design. The goal is to find the right balance where the elements feel naturally connected without being too tight or too far apart.

Why is it important to use multiples of 4 or 5 when determining spacing values?

Using multiples of 4 or 5 ensures consistency in the spacing across the design. It makes it easier to maintain uniformity and creates a visually pleasing layout that feels balanced and structured.

What is the role of subjectivity in determining the right amount of spacing?

Spacing is often subjective, meaning what looks right to one designer might not look right to another. The designer must develop an 'eye for design' through experience, testing different spacing values to determine what works best for the specific project.

How does the relationship between elements change in designs like Stripe or Sketch, and what does this imply about spacing?

In designs like Stripe and Sketch, elements like buttons and text are spaced based on their size and importance. The correct spacing ensures that elements remain visually connected, and designers must make subjective choices based on context, making sure that elements do not feel disconnected or too crowded.