White Space Design How to Use White Space Effectively in Web Design

If you’re not a designer, making sure your website looks near-perfect can be a challenge. Using a quality theme can help a lot, but you’ll also want to learn some basic principles if you want the best results. This includes understanding the concept of white space design.White space is exactly what it sounds like, and despite its apparent simplicity, it’s a vital part of any visual design. Too much can leave a page looking empty, for example, while too little can make your content appear cluttered. Achieving the right balance, on the other hand, can do a lot for your site’s appearance and ease of use.In this post, we’ll introduce the topic of white space design. We’ll explore the concept in detail, and show you how to apply it on your own site. Let’s get to work! web design. Even if you’ve never heard the phrase before, you probably have some idea of what it means from the name alone.Take a look at the following page:This home p age displays an image, a title, and some text, all of which is the pages content. The emptiness surrounding the content is referred to as white space.Of course, it’s important not to take this term too literally. White space doesnt actually have to be white – it can be any other background color (or even a background image or design). It’s simply the part of a page that’s left empty. Given this, it’s also sometimes called ‘negative space’.It’s easy to dismiss the blank parts of a page as unimportant. In a way, however, each page’s white space is as important as the content it separates. Let’s talk about why this is.Why white space is a vital design conceptWhen you’re putting together a website, it can be tempting to fit as much content as possible onto each page. There’s a lot you want to share with your readers or customers, after all. For this reason, slipping into a ‘more is better’ me ntality is easy.However, let’s look at what happens when we take this philosophy to its natural extreme:This page is almost completely devoid of white space, and suffers as a result. It appears incredibly cluttered, and it’s difficult to find what you’re looking for. Upon reaching a site like this, most visitors are likely to leave immediately.While this is perhaps an over-the-top example, pages not using enough white space are fairly common. This site also illustrates the point nicely:There’s less going on here, but the elements are still squashed too closely together. This makes the page overwhelming to look at (and of course, the choice of colors and visuals don’t help either).The point here is that using enough white space on your web pages is key to making them both visually appealing and easy to navigate. Having enough white space between elements has also been repeatedly shown to increase reading comprehension, and to have a positive effect on overall User Experience (UX).Of course, you can also take this concept too far in the opposite direction. Too much white space can leave your design looking empty, disjointed, and unprofessional:At the same time, Google’s home page is almost nothing but white space, and is highly effective:This just goes to show that how much white space is ‘right’ for any given web page depends on its goals and the type of content it includes. Finding the perfect balance between negative and occupied space should be at the forefront of your mind when building or redesigning your own website.How to use white space design effectively on your web pagesAs we’ve pointed out, both too much or too little white space can become an issue. In reality, however, the problem is nearly always forgetting to use enough negative space between the other elements on your web pages. This is why white space design largely revolves around balancing out content elements using white space.To get even more specific, there are actually two types of white space.Micro white spaceMicro white space refers to the smaller gaps found between lines of text, images in a grid or gallery, menu links, and other such elements:This space is crucial for ensuring that visitors can read the text on your page, and for separating elements to show that they’re distinct. In most cases, everything on your page should have at least a bit of micro white space around it.This can also be thought of as a border or margin, and is usually most effective when it’s used consistently. This means using the same amount of space between each line of text, for example, and including borders of the same width around all of your images:Macro white spaceAs you might expect, the other aspect to consider is macro white spaces. These are the larger empty areas found between sections of a page, around content blocks, or separating sidebars, headers, and footers from the main content:Macro white space helps visitors understand the structure of your web page. It quickly shows where one section ends and another begins. Plus, it ensures that key elements such as navigation are easily distinguishable from everything else.As a rule of thumb, the more distinct one element is from another, the more white space should be included between them. Sections with less negative space between them will be seen as more closely related. On the other hand, larger gaps indicate a switch to a new type of content or feature:Finally, white space can also be used to help the most important elements on a page stand out. For example, most sites have at least one  Call To Action (CTA). These are important steps you’d like your visitors to take. This could mean clicking on a purchase button, for example, or filling out a subscription form.Surrounding your CTA element with plenty of white space is one of the best ways to draw visitors’ eyes right to it. This is especially effective when the CTA itself is also made distinct through unique colors and design:Achieving the right balance of white space on your pages can take a little work. However, it’s well worth the effort involved. It’s also important to trust your own eye, and have testers take a look at your pages from a fresh perspective.In addition, if you’re having some trouble deciding whether or not you’ve included enough white space on a live site, you can use a heat map tool to analyze visitor behavior. If you’re not seeing much interaction with crucial elements like navigation and CTAs, you might benefit from giving them a little more room to breathe. When it comes to white space design, less is definitely more.ConclusionIt’s said that in music, the silences between notes are just as important as the sounds themselves, because this is what shapes and distinguishes those sounds. The same principle applies to your website – the spaces between content are more vital than you might at first expect.When it comes to using the principles of white space design on your site, balance is key. Too little white space leaves your pages feeling cluttered and confusing, while too much offers no clear structure. To avoid those issues, you can use negative space strategically to show both closely connected elements, and those to be seen as separate and distinct.Do you have any questions about how to use white space design effectively? Ask away in the comments section below! Here's how to use white space effectively in your #WordPress website #design

Top Ten Tips I Learned about Getting Book Endorsements

Top Ten Tips I Learned about Getting Book Endorsements Putting yourself out there as an author feels very scary especially when it comes to requesting endorsements. One of the hardest things I had to deal with when requesting endorsements or â€Å"blurbs† for my debut memoir Accidental Soldier: A Memoir of Service and Sacrifice in the Israel Defense Forces was that of rejection. However, there’s a real art to getting them. These ten pointers will increase your chances of getting the right blurbs. 1.  Ã‚     Start with people you already know. It is always easier to ask people who feel a personal connection to you or your book for their time without renumeration. They will be way more prone to do you a favor than celebrity authors. Such contacts can also include those you’ve met at conferences, workshops and writer groups. 2.  Ã‚     Find blurbers via subject matter and demographics. As a former New Yorker, I googled 40-something writers from New York who wrote on Jewish subjects. I’m Israeli so I played the â€Å"Israel card† and reached out to Danny Ayalon, the former Israel ambassador to the US, who gave me a whopping â€Å"yes.† 3.  Ã‚     Find blurbers from other books. Once I had exhausted all my personal contacts, I started reaching out to people whose endorsed books had a similar subject matter, theme or genre to mine. 4.  Ã‚     Ask your publisher or publicist for recommendations. They might also be able to make the connection, making the communication easier. 5.  Ã‚     Make your blurbers’ lives super easy. Offer to send a copy of your book in either electronic or print form, audio if you have it. Give guidelines, like a suggested word count, a deadline and where the blurb will be used. If they express time constraints, offer to write a sample blurb they can sign off on. 6.  Ã‚     Give, give, ask. Figure out what you can do to help potential blurb-writers before approaching them. I began an author interview series for newly featured books. I promoted their work widely. Since I made the effort to do something for them, some of those authors were happy to return the favor 7.  Ã‚     Always point out what you like the best about the potential blurber’s work. Pull the focus away from yourself. After all, you’re asking a major favor! 8.  Ã‚     Expect a 50 percent rejection rate. People are just busy and sometimes they cannot follow through with their initial commitment. Things come up. Don’t take their rejection personally. Authors are human, too. 9.  Ã‚     Ask experts. Since my genre is memoir, I reached out to Linda Joy Myers, president of the National Association for Memoir Writers. (NAMW) In some cases, you might get a more positive response from a big name expert than a famous author. 10.  Ã‚     Plan ahead. Before your book is published, identify the major players in your niche and carefully cultivate relationships with them. Factor in the time it will take for them to read your book, and write the blurb. The key is to stay persistent. I emailed 40 people and got 11 endorsers. With my book just a few months away from publication, I tweet the blurbs as part of my marketing plan. I sent each of the endorsers a copy of the book along with a thank you note. Public thanks can bring awareness to a cause and help you stand out from a sea of authors who are all trying to make a name for themselves.

Unit 8 Application 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Unit 8 Application 2 - Essay Example The exit of a manager must be categorised as downsizing, voluntary or discharge exit so that the calculation of turnover rates in the end becomes possible. Factors contributing to leaving HCLC may be low motivation or external factors in relation to what HCLC offer. It is important to analyse so that the organisation knows what managers are going for that is not being offered (Heneman, Judge and Kammeyer-Mueller, 2012). The organisation may fail to retain some of those valuable managers unless we are concerned about the issue. A higher turnover may be faced in the future if we do not address the issues in the present. This may spoil the image of the organisation such that getting contracts may become problematic. Managers who are leaving may leave with other employees leading to reduced performance and indiscipline. Later, it may be hard to find, attract or hire managers with value. HCLC should look at the basis upon which the managers have left the organisation in the previous year. It is important to find out how long they worked in the organisation and how they were managing their positions. (Harris and Brannick, 1999) It would be very wise to interview those managers who have quit knowing the major reasons of managerial turnover. Sometimes employees are said to quit their bosses but not their job. This is a result of the kind of relationship between managers and their bosses (Gully and Phillips, 2010). Proper research and collection of data on relationships that managers share with operations manager should be conducted. Benefits and costs resulting from managerial turnover should be conducted. Categories of cost should be known in terms of training, replacement and separation and all financial non-financial costs estimated. Benefits must be weighed in association with costs of managerial turnover. This information will

Computer Graphics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Computer Graphics - Essay Example [Wallace, 2001. pp3-6] The JPEG compression algorithm involves three stages - Colour Space Conversion (Red-Green-Blue triplets mapped to Luminance-Chrominance Blue-Chrominance Red triplets), Segmentation into 8x8 pixel blocks, and Discrete Cosine Transformation (image transformation from spatial domain to frequency domain representation) encoding stage that includes Quantization (sorting the output waveform of DCT), Zigzag Scan (sorting the frequency coefficients from low to high), and Entropy Coding (Huffman Coding and Arithmetic Coding). The encoding and decoding algorithms for JPEG images are shown in figures 1 and 2 respectively. Compression is used to reduce the file sizes such that they can be used on web pages or documentation or any other light weight graphics applications. The 8x8 blocks of source images are first shifted from unsigned integers to signed integers and then are applied to the Forward Discrete Cosine Transformer (FDCT). To decode the compressed image to achieve the 8x8 blocks again, they are applied to the entropy decoder whereby the output is taken out from Inverse Discrete Cosine Transformer (IDCT). The final processing step of DCT encoder is the entropy coding that achieves additional compression by encoding the quantized DCT coefficients based on statistical characteristics. There are two types of Entropy Coding methods - Huffman coding and Arithmetic coding. Huffman coding requires one or more sets of Huffman code tables whereas Arithmetic coding doesn't require any external tables (althoug h statistical conditioning tables as inputs can improve coding efficiency). The quantization stage of JPEG algorithm results in loss of information, thus making JPEG standard a lossy compression technique. [Wallace, 2001. pp3-6] Compression Ratios and JPEG image formats: Compression is specified in terms of bits per pixel including the chrominance and luminance components) called the compression bit rate. Higher the value of bits per pixel, better would be the image quality. The JPEG standard recommends the following mapping of image quality with bit rates in colored images having moderately complex scenes: 0.25 to 0.5 bits per pixel: The output image shall possess moderate to good quality 0.5 to 0.75 bits per pixel: The output image shall possess good to very good quality 0.75 to 1.5 bits per pixel: The output image shall possess excellent quality 1.5 to 2.0 bits per pixel: The output image shall be practically non-distinguishable from the original image The improved version of original JPEG technology is JPEG 2000 that provides better rate

How To Get Organized Essay Example for Free

How To Get Organized Essay Organization is the key to success in any organization. Individual who are organized in their personal lives are more likely to be organized and efficient in their work place. An organized mind establishes efficiency in all areas of life. They create an organized work environment which leads to overall organizational success. Disorganization is characterized by unnecessary items that need to be grouped together, hidden out of sight, wasted thoughts, energy and time. It starts with an inward motivation to break away from states of confusion and disorder. As the personal assistant in the Elementary School, personal organization is very important in enabling school run its activities without conflict. This research paper aims at seeking ways of addressing the problem of not being organized as highlighted to me by those I constantly interact with. This can be by: avoided too many things in your head, having a work plan of what should be done in a given time, setting priorities right and setting adequate time on each, increasing efficiency in what need to be done through proper planning. The paper aims at identifying ways of improving personal organization skills such as good time management, creating enough space in the work place with the aim of avoiding disorganized and distractive work environment, appreciating the position one is in as a means of creating internal strength to keep on working, setting realistic goals and maintaining to stick to their time guide and at times delegating responsibilities in an attempt to avoid overworking. Its important to note that, failing to plan is in simple terms planning to fail. Self control and a focused mind are important in getting organized thus improving work output in an organization. HOW TO GET ORGANIZED Being organized is the first step towards being efficient and productive in what we do in life. Some of the main obstacles that hold people from getting organized include; Time Management Time managements the key to being organized. It’s important to first admit that I have made mistakes in managing time and work towards improving upon it. The easiest is to have a daily To Do List. The list provides a list of all the tasks to be done within the day such as phone calls to be made, purchases to be made and letters to be drafted, among other numerous activities. The list gives priorities at a glance of all pending jobs and their agency and helps eliminate miscellaneous pieces of paper work with job reminders. A daily planner, mainly a pocket notebook is the most preferred due to its easy portability. The To Do List should be reviewed on a daily basis and all the tasks successively achieved marked out and all items not accomplished for whatever reason transferred to the next day’s list. These items should be prioritized in the next day’s To Do List so as to avoided pushing them further resulting to pile up of unfinished jobs that make people appear disorganized even when they are organized. Dark markers can be used to reinforce major tasks. Several lists should be made for each day, week, month and if possible for a year. Put it back Organizing the work space ensures that all items not in use are thrown away or put it efficiently in storage at a clear and designated place. This helps you in determining the actual amount of space you have within the office, thus eliminating time and money wasted in organizing stuff you do not need. All items frequently used such as envelopes, stamps, stain removers should be easily accessible mainly on the working desk. It is important to set timers for how long an organizing task should take in an attempt to avoid doing a single task for a whole day and help in remaining focused. Once you have placed every thing where it belongs it is very important to develop the habit of placing every thing back to where they belong as soon as you finish working on them. All items with similar usage should be placed in the same place such as keys, phones, all pending jobs and finished jobs so as to eliminate time wastage while searching for items. Similarly combine all similar activities such as make all call at the same time, pay all bills and do all the errands and shopping in one trip. Honesty with Yourself. Incase you feel wasted and not proud of yourself in the position you are in presently, it important to have a realistic look at where you spend your time, way all the pros and cons and see if there is any opportunity to improvement. This gives the opportunity for personal reflection thus encouraging positive energy to take control which will lead to being organized. Its important to determine what exactly you want to organize, rather than stating that am organized. Draft a list of all things you would like to organize such as schedules over a given period of time and ensure you abide by the list. Delegate responsibilities Delegating responsibilities to other people ensures all or most of the To Do List activities are meet. Doing everything by your self makes it hard to remain organized since you cannot meet all deadlines set out due to emerging pop-ups. Conclusion. Being organized is being in control of all the activities in our lives and the work place. If some aspects of your life are dissatisfying, it is good to get excited since you are aware of what you do not need in life. Create a time frame of when that must be achieved and strictly stick to it. References Bridges, C. Organizational Skills. (2000). [Online]. Available: http://www. at. bridges. com/20010108/skills/main. htm Bordenaro, B. (n. d. ). Being Organized in Not a Trait! [Online]. Available: http://www. ideamarketers. com/library/article. cfm? articleid=7414 Hemphill, B. (2001). Six Ways to Improve Your Office Organization Skills. [Online]. Available: ttp://www. frogpondgroup. com/articles. cfm? articleid=bhemphill04

The Fool in William Shakespeares As You Like It Essay -- William Shak

The Fool in William Shakespeare's As You Like It The fool is one of the first character archetypes that any student of literature learns how to analyze. Despite his seemingly light or even pointless chatter, the fool usually manages to say some fairly important things. Upon further study, the student may perceive that it is because of his penchant for silliness that the fool is given leave to express even offensive truths about the other characters. What happens, though, when one fool encounters another? Fools are not used to being subject to one another’s wit; this experience of being held up to a sort of mirror is generally reserved for the characters who must undergo some change to further the plot. Touchstone and Jaques manage to break that rule, and merely by coexisting seem to compete. Both live up to some part of our expectation of the fool, but neither manages to fill the role entirely. Which one comes closer is a matter worthy of some debate. In her book The Fool: His Social and Literary History, Enid Welsford devotes a chapter to â€Å"The Court-Fool in Elizabethan Drama† and briefly discusses As You Like It specifically. She at one point describes fools as being â€Å"†¦partly within and partly outside the action of the drama.† (244). This idea is applicable to Touchstone and Jaques, but in a slightly different way than she intended it. She was describing characters placed by circumstance in that liminal state--characters with no desire to move to either side of their middle ground. Also, she describes the differences between Touchstone and Jaques, both in appearance and attitude. Most importantly, she mentions that Touchstone â€Å"†¦exposes affectation; but he is capable of†¦criticism, and his judgments are r... ... encroaching on his territory. Jaques is a sort-of fool in a sort-of court, but Touchstone’s presence brings in a glimmer of the rest of the world—a real fool from a real court—that shatters Jaques before he ever has a chance to throw a single stone at Touchstone. Jaques’ attempts to find a place for himself, then, simply read as a strange, lost man making faces in a glass. There is no way that Jaques can surpass Touchstone’s inherent liminality—where Touchstone slips seamlessly from one world to the next, in and out of the action, Jaques just hops jerkily back and forth like someone walking on hot coals. He never lands in any one place long enough to really establish himself. It is for this reason that Touchstone fills every facet of the fool’s role more ably than Jaques, up until the bitter end when Jaques takes the traditional fool’s ending and stands alone.

Haze: Pollution and Sophisticated Forest Clearing

The haze is a constant phenomenon faced by Malaysia and her neighbouring countries. The haze is basically pollution of atmosphere, which is clogged with pollutants and other substances from forest fires. The haze is a direct effect of forest fire in Kalimantan and other parts oaf Indonesia due to slash and burn method of farming. The Indonesian authorities appear to have no power to control farmers from practising such methods. The haze is further worsened by open burning practised by most Malaysians.Open-field burning of rice straw by the rice planters and open burning of dried leaves and garbage done by the public are a few examples that done by Malaysian. Many are ignorant of the health effects of open burning. During the haze, hospitals and clinic often report a dramatic increase in respiratory problems, lung infections and asthma attack. The Air Pollution Index (API) usually indicates the hazardous and dangerous levels of pollution during this period. The haze has long-term side effects. Prolonged inhalation of polluted air will result in serious lung infection which particularly affects the elderly.The government must play its role to reduce the haze treat. It has to cooperate with the Indonesian authorities to stamp out forest fires. The culprits must be brought to justice, either through healthy fine or prison sentence. Constant vigilance would ensure the perpetrators do not repeat their offence. The government should also raise the public awareness of the dangers of forest fire. Continuous campaign of the cause, solutions and steps-need-to-be-taken to reduce the haze need to be promoted through all types of social media like television, radio, newspaper and even via internet.The authorities should also provide assistance to farmers and introduce more sophisticated forest clearing methods. In Malaysia, strict laws must be imposed to penalise those who practise open burning. On-going campaigns on the dangers of open burning should be intensified. Individ uals too have a role to play. They must participate in every campaign and stop burning. Students can advise their parents not to practice open burning. Every individual has to remember that we do not own the world, but instead we lent it from our future generations. We must protect our world so that our grandchildren woulh have a healthy earth to live.