White space is always occurring in a

design from the moment you open up a

blank document, the design has begun

with white space.

There are two types of white space the

first is undefined white space, which is

what you get when you open a new

document.

The second white space is active white

space, which occurs when an object is

placed in undefined white space.

White space allows 4 things:

Rhythm- allows the reader to easily engage the design without being confronted with too many graphics or types.

Unity- it is responsible for all the elements in design being holistic and in agreement with each other.

Legibility/Readability- how easily shapes of letters can be distinguished usually refers to larger sizes while readability refers to how easily type can be read.

Balance- refers to the weight of a design based on the objects or elements of the design.

It can be used anywhere.

web/graphic design- white space is

crucial for legibility/readability.

illustrations and abstract artwork- there is

no rule for how it is used.

photography- it is used when you print

out pictures say for a magazine.

http://www.webdesign.org/web-design-

basics/design-principles/what-is-white-

space.10284.html

http://www.design-lib.com/graphic-

design-principles-gd.php

http://desktoppub.about.com/od/white

space/White_Space.htm