We’ve recently done 3 websites that use a white background, and no bounding areas for the content. The results are quite varied: One is bold and hard-edged; one is ordered, like a document; one is clean and slick.
No borders
There are many variations when it comes to the visual layout of a website. In the past, sites were boxed in – they had some sort of bounding box or border around the content area. Perhaps because of larger monitors becoming more common, trends have moved to un-boxed layouts, and, in the case these 3 sites, to a layout where all of the elements are floating on a white background. From a design point of view, the trick is to use a strict grid structure, so that the elements of the site hold together visually.
Here are some screenshots of the 3 sites:
The minimal document-style layout for The Library.
The busy, broadsheet-style layout for the KZNSA Gallery Home page.
The assymetrical elements come to the fore on simpler content pages.
The clean, open layout of Brett Florens’ website – ideal for a photographer.
The contact-sheet layout for viewing specific photo shoots.
