3 simple ways to improve a graphic design layout

When it comes to graphic design, layout is everything. It’s the basis of all. It quite literally ties everything together. If your layout is not effective, then your composition as a whole will not be either. In this blog post, we will discuss three simple ways to improve any graphic design layout by using the following key design principles: alignment, white space, and visual hierarchy. By following these tips, you can create a more visually appealing and engaging layout that will communicate your message more effectively.

What is layout in graphic design?

In graphic design, layout refers to the way in which we arrange the various elements on a page such as text, imagery, lines, shapes, and white space. A well-structured layout may make your design more visually appealing and easier to scan. Both integral in facilitating the conveyance of a message, feeling, vibe and atmosphere.

Digging deeper, a good layout is important because it helps to create visual stability and order–humans love organization, neatness, and visual consistency.

A good layout should also help viewers focus their attention on specific elements, in an intentional well-thought-out sequence. That direction of attention, from one element to the next is what tells a story, whether we're talking print, web, packaging, or anything in between.

The 3 most important requirements in layout design

When it comes to layout design, there are three major principles that make all the difference:

1. Alignment
2. White space
3. Visual hierarchy

There are many more facets to layout but the above three are by far the most impactful, in my experience.

Alignment

Alignment refers to the way in which we arrange elements on a page. We can align elements horizontally or vertically using basic guides, or we can use a grid system to achieve alignment. In layman's terms: when everything in a composition is aligned, it looks neater and more organized. This is important because it makes the composition look more intentional, professional and thus, trustworthy. Building trust is what we're all really after, right?

Great alignment makes the composition easier to scan and understand (though visual hierarchy runs the show when it comes to comprehension and element sequencing–more on that later).

Horizontal alignment is the most common type of alignment. It involves lining up elements on either the left or right side of the page. This is often used when text is the main focus of the design, as it helps to create a clean and organized look. It is particularly effective for displaying images or graphics next to text.

Vertical alignment involves lining up elements on top of each other. This can be used to create a sense of hierarchy and emphasis, as well as to balance out the design.

Grid alignment uses a grid system to position elements in specific locations on the page. This type of alignment is often used in popular mediums such as web or magazine layouts (or other types of designs that require precise positioning of a multitude of elements). It can be helpful for creating a visually consistent layout and ensuring that all elements are evenly spaced.

Basically, good alignment = visual consistency = viewer can effortlessly focus on the content and not have to continually "figure out" the layout.

Two fantastic posts on alignment:

• Alignment in Graphic Design: Understanding What it Means and How to Use It
• Alignment in graphic design: The alignment principle of design

Examples of great alignment:

White space

White space is the empty space around and between elements on a page. It is often referred to as negative space, as it is the area that is not occupied by any content.

White space serves an important purpose in graphic design; it helps to create visual balance, makes the composition more legible, easier to scan, and adds aesthetic appeal. White space can also be used to focus the viewer’s attention on specific elements. The more negative space you frame around an element the higher that element's visual weight and importance.

Too much white space can make a design look unfinished or empty. It places too much importance on all elements (rendering them all equally important) and generally feels sterile & lifeless which defeats the purpose of visual communication. Too little white space can make it look cluttered and busy. High content density impacts cognitive load and we humans don't like to think too hard. It is important to find a balance that works well for your particular composition.

There are a few things you can do to use white space effectively in your designs:

• Leave plenty of empty space around the edges of the page. This will help viewers focus on the content and make the composition easier to scan.
• Use negative space to separate elements from one another. This will help to prevent the design from looking cluttered or busy. This is often better than using lines, shapes, or anything of that sort as separators.
• Add whitespace between text blocks and between lines of text to make them easier to read. This will also make the layout look cleaner and more organized.
• Use whitespace to strategically create focal points in the design. This will draw the viewer’s attention to specific elements and help them navigate through the composition.

Basically, good use of white space = intentionally creating focal points in your composition (and minimizing cognitive load) = the viewer can, once again, effortlessly focus on the content at hand.

Two fantastic posts on white space:

• What’s White Space Design? 5 Real Examples
• The power of white space
  

Examples of great use of white space:

Visual hierarchy

Visual hierarchy refers to the order in which we notice elements on a page. This is primarily determined by their size, color, and position.

Creating a visual hierarchy is important because it helps to direct the viewer’s attention through the composition and makes the design more understandable. It tells the story, from start to finish. It also helps to create a sense of order and emphasis.

There are a few things you can do to create a visual hierarchy in your compositions:

• Make sure that the most important elements are the largest and most visible.
• Use color contrast to draw attention to specific elements.
• Position the elements in an order that makes sense, from left to right or top to bottom (the top left of any given page will almost always hold the most visual importance)
• Overlapping elements can also help to create a sense of hierarchy through the use of depth.

Basically, good visual hierarchy = clear viewing sequence = the viewer can, once again, effortlessly navigate the content on the page

Two fantastic posts on visual hierarchy:

• Key Principles of Visual Hierarchy in UX Design
• 6 principles of visual hierarchy for designers
  

Examples of great use of visual hierarchy:

Let’s transform this example layout in 3 steps

Step #1: Align to a layout grid to make it visually consistent

Step #2: Add white space to the imagery & typography to make it more scannable

Step #3: Use visual weight to create clearer hierarchy. which leads to better impact and comprehension

Before and after

It’s more important than ever to understand the basics of good visual design, which, in my opinion, starts with layout above all else. By following the three simple layout principles we’ve outlined in this article – alignment, white space, and visual hierarchy – you can create compositions that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional (meaning they communicate the message you want to communicate in the manner that you want it conveyed). These principles will help you create well-balanced compositions, add focus and emphasis to specific elements at will, and make your compositions easier to scan (massively important in this day and age). With a little practice, some quality inspirational references, and continual exposure to great layouts, you can easily start to leverage these principles to produce stunningly effective compositions. Let me know how you go!