So spoke Paul Simon in his 1964 album The Sound of Silence. The devastating melody is one that expresses anger; it is an elegy of emptiness that paints a picture of a world in which we cannot communicate with one another because our voices are drowned out by an immutable and omnipresent silence.

It sounds a bit heavy, we know. So, let’s try to translate it into web design terms.

In this case, the silent themes that Simon mentions are nothing more than the blank spaces of your website: the “negative” areas of the page. These elements create a contrast between the existing elements on the site and, like the moments of silence that can be left during conversations, have a style of communication of their own.

Let’s examine some examples of sites that have understood and successfully applied this concept.

1. Apple

For our first example, what better reference than Apple? The computer company beat out competitors like Microsoft and HP in the personal computer market for one reason: Steve Jobs had an uncanny mastery of the power of design—and white space.

Apple’s website is a perfect example of white space in action. The design is clean. It’s simple. It draws readers in rather than overwhelming them with overly complex design. Apple has been successful because of its commitment to how the design of an object influences the user experience – and its website design is no exception.

Source: Apple Romania

2. Dropbox

Since last year, Dropbox has updated its innocent, every-man image with a telegram database more corporate, cool brand look. The company’s website is a prime example. Look at how it keeps text minimal while using stark blocks of color to create visual contrast.

Like Apple, there is almost as much negative space as actual content on the page. This promotes a high level of efficiency and elegance, perfect for Dropbox’s brand image. Consider this perfect example of how color and space act as tangible elements on set.

Source: Dropbox

3. Simple

True to its name, the architecture the sound of silence: 5 examples of effective use of space in web design consultancy website Simpla is as simple as the concept behind it. The best thing about this site is that it practices what it preaches – simplicity in form hongkongdata and style. The company promises to help clients optimize and refresh their interior design, and judging by the structure of their website, they’re probably pretty good at it!