Significance of Space
When reading a magazine or a newspaper the reader’s job is simply to divulge in the information presented in front of them. Nonetheless, how successful they will be is entirely dependent on the designer. One of the most crucial aspects involved with this concept of absorbability is the idea of “space”, the designer must consider open space, empty space, where the space will guide the readers eye, and how effect the composition will prove in terms of elegance. According to Leslie Segal “elegance is the measure of grace and simplicity relative to the complexity of it’s function,” meaning the more content you can convey in a simplistic and modern style, the better. I prefer to think of this as quality over quantity, instead of filling a page with dozens of pictures and fancy texts, a few nicely spaced out columns with legible headers and colorful key words is not only better quality, but provides a structure and system preferred by many readers.
When observing my physical surroundings (upstairs Mason Library) an example of active space would be the three large rows of bookshelves to my right. While an example of empty space would be the aisles created between the shelves by placing them in it’s given layout. This composition allows for obvious space for signs and labels throughout the rows of books, resulting in easy navigation throughout the library as well as a sense of overall organization.
