Just as silence makes sound more noticeable, empty space helps designers know what to fill it with. Also known as negative space or white space, this empty area contains no visual elements of its own—but it plays a powerful role in how users experience an interface.

Many app screens on UILand use negative space to great effect. In this article, we’ll help you understand how to apply it to your own products.

Why You Need Negative Space in Your App or Webpage Design

Negative space may exist around, inside, or between on-screen objects. It’s a deliberate tactic designers use to keep breathing room for all objects on the page or screen.

Negative space:

• Defines the limits of objects
• Creates the necessary bonds between them
• Supports Gestalt principles that drive effective visual performance

A thoughtful approach to negative space can produce a clear visual hierarchy and a strong sense of continuity or flow between elements—without needing tables, frames, or arrows.

It also declutters the page, helping users focus on key elements without distraction. Mads Soegaard of the Interaction Design Foundation describes white space as the foundational glue that holds design elements together in a way that makes them “pop,” adding style and elegance to the product.

How Apps on UILand Utilize Negative Space for Effect

The apps we showcase on UILand use negative space intentionally to enhance the user experience. A UI designer should first identify the overarching reasons for using negative space in an app or on a website.

Here are some of the most common:

Legibility and Readability

Sometimes, it’s essential to introduce ample space between elements so users don’t strain their eyes or brains when reading text. Microspace—small, precise spacing adjustments—can dramatically improve the effectiveness of typography on the screen.

Think of it like using pauses in a musical piece: the gaps give meaning to what’s being played.

Highlight Branding

A UI designer may define a specific amount of negative space around a logo or key brand element to influence how users perceive it. This breathing room helps the brand feel intentional, premium, and easy to recognize.

Resource Type on Screen or Page

Design tone also affects how much negative space you should use. For example:

• News apps and websites often feature less white space to convey a dense, real-time flow of information.
• Blogs and editorial experiences typically feature more white space to feel calm, focused, and reader-friendly.

The type of content and the mood you want to create should guide your spacing decisions.

Attention Ratio

Some UILand apps feature generous negative space to enhance visual hierarchy. By limiting the number of competing elements on screen, you increase the attention ratio—the likelihood that users will notice and act on the most important element.

Used well, negative space shapes user perception and can even support growth efforts by improving engagement and conversion.

Conclusion

Negative space is far more than “empty” screen real estate. It’s an active design tool that:

• Clarifies hierarchy
• Improves readability
• Highlights branding
• Guides attention

When used deliberately, negative space helps your UI feel calm, focused, and confident—just like the best app screens you’ll find on UILand.