Web design has been a way to describe how a website should feel to its visitors, and how it can give the most information available with the smallest effort by giving the correct limit on how it looks. Design is the first thing people see. Design is also the first thing that can give a visual appearance that can influence them to do more things beside appreciation. This is where the principle of proximity takes its role in a web design.
The principle of proximity is described as the related items that can be grouped visually to create less clutter and creating a more organized layout. Items unrelated to each other should be placed further apart, to emphasize their lack of relationship.
The correct use of proximity, in conjunction with other design principles, has a big impact on the user experience and a website’s overall success.
Embracing the White Space
The first step to properly implementing the principle of proximity in web design is to understand the importance of white space in design.
Lack of white space is a common problem in many designs, especially amateur designs that tend to put everything in a small space. Design is a means of communicating information, and when people attempt to convey a message through design, their natural inclination is to spread out the content evenly to fill the space, without giving much thought to the potential of well-organized white space.
White space can affect the user’s behavior as much, and sometimes, even more than the actual content on the page. White space guides the user’s eyes in the intended direction, creating contrast that makes a lasting impression. The space available in the header and appropriately spaced items in the content and sidebar areas contribute to this clean and organized look.
The proper use of white space is the first step in implementing the principle of proximity to make a design more visually appealing. It should be noted that a white space does not have to be "white"; it can be any empty space between elements, regardless of its color.
Grouping Related Elements
In a design, elements can be described as entities that serve different purposes. White space can give a room between these entities, giving them visual appearance of a group that separate them from other entities that have no relationship. Grouping related elements can make a design look less cluttered, giving it a strong effect and better appearance.
Grouping related elements will make reader to be able to simply glance at a design to take in the information in a much easier and faster way.
Grouping of elements should be logical. An entity should correspond to its similar entity if it is grouped together, while different entities should be put further apart by using the correct balance, contrast and white space.
Creating Visual Hierarchy
Using white space effectively and grouping related elements are important as it is critical to give a website a clear visual hierarchy. A website’s architecture and flow of information are the foundation of effective proximity.
Hierarchy is conveyed by the way in which elements are grouped and sub-grouped.
This hierarchy helps the user understand where they have been and where they want to go, helping them to understand the purpose of a design. For example, visual hierarchy can be used to show the relationships between items, and to categorize each item into a specific category.
This hierarchy would not be possible without white space (including macro and micro white space).
Understanding the Layouts
Content that is organized into a hierarchy and logically grouped is easier to read and scan, especially by wandering visitors that happen to visit a site and tend to glance for a few seconds before they decide whether to leave or stay.
Headings, for example, should allow the user to scan by clearly indicating main points. Content should be planned to reflect an appropriate visual hierarchy.
A website that uses proximity in its architecture and design does not overwhelm the user with information. Although it is relatively easy to implement the principles of proximity on websites that are light on content, proximity is much more important on content-rich websites.
When it comes to layouts, simplicity is something that comes first. Cluttered and disorganized layouts will give an impression of a busy and unmanaged look. For example, a logo should stand out and easy to spot, and contents should be organized in a way that they are not cluttering the overall design. Every bit of information in a website should be put in a manner where they are easy to see and understand without giving any confusion.
A complex design with cluttered layout will fail to implement the principle of proximity.
Using the Grids
One way to group items and use white space appropriately is to start with a grid.
A grid-based layout, with appropriate gutter sizes, allows for plenty of room between sections, and in many cases it forces the designer to implement principles of proximity without even thinking about it.
Grids can give web page elements more "breathing" room, creating each section with its own visual home.
Leading Users to the Right Path
One other major benefit of proximity is that it help users of a website to navigate without unnecessary delays or obstacles. When the primary navigation is clearly separated from the other elements on the page, it will be found instantly and is less likely to be forgotten.
Proper visual hierarchy by way of proximity helps website visitors to dive deeper into a website without worrying about where they have been or where they are going. With a proper visual navigation, visitors will always feel confortable, and they will get to the most important sections of your website quickly and efficiently.
Proximity in web design is not the only design principle that will help a site be more usable and visually pleasing. It is an important factor to consider for giving the correct information by a satisfying user experience.