A freelance client is requesting I fill up the remaining white space for a web page design. How should I go forward?

They are calling the white space on the web page "dead space" and I have added graphic elements to better fill the page but we're getting to the place where I'm thinking I shouldn't add anything more. What is the best strategy to not lose the white space without your client getting frustrated?

Replies5

  • It can help to have references to show to back your case. I'm sure you know of loads of sites that have great UX (and some very bad ones). Sometimes clients need to see these examples to understand where you're coming from.
  • Hi Emma,

    I would say the image over the nav is a little distracting. Maybe a darker overlay over the image can make it a bit more user friendly? Other than that I think you are using the space really well!
  • @Kelsang Dongsar This is amazing feedback! Thanks so much- I definitely have a lot more to think about with this webpage and these points will help me tremendously.
  • Hi Emma,

    Firstly the design is great and it looks good. My understanding is very simple, which is, what is the page or content trying to communicate?

    As visual designers and curators, we tend to look at artworks/layout from a graphic point of view. But the most important thing is whether the content/communication is clear and understandable. That is KEY.

    I had a look at your design and my point are below:
    - this looks more like a print document as opposed to a web layout
    - The core points of WHO, WHY and WHAT are placed more as secondary and need to be primary
    - The ergonomics of your layout need to be more scroll down friendly, hence focus on the information from top to bottom, as opposed to left to right
    - Websites nowadays are meant to be interactive or dynamic in it's design and approach which is missing
    - Think of the UX of your design and if it is communicating that journey
    - Bullet point and highlighted text make it impactful and communicate the core points
    - The fonts are too small, there's no need to be shy about content, as that is what the website needs to communicate
    - How does this website translate to mobile? Mobile is now the number one format from which people visit websites

    In all, I don't think it's just about the white space. I think it's more that client is asking to make the core message and important points more visible.

    I hope this helps you and good luck.

    Best,
    Kelsang
  • Would you buy a pair of trousers with three legs? No you would not. Why? Because there is no use for them. Form and Function is key here, a website serves a purpose for a business, does the current content serve the purpose?

    I have found in strategy the best and most powerful question is "Why?" and dead space is not an answer. Maybe you could middle-align the content while shlightly pushing it away from the bananas, the white space will seem less, and it will be in the visual line of the users eye's, maybe this will make tham happy.

    Unless your client is a designer, you have been hired for your expertise, you know design principals. I would stand by it and get some user testing done and see what the feedback is, if the users are not converting due to being distracted by the amount of white space, well then you'll have to come up with a solution, but I doubt that.

    Good luck, working with clients is fun!

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