Ditching symmetry in web design

Symmetry in web design has long been popular. The grid layout for one thing has been used repeatedly for years, advocated as the best possible website layout. However, throughout the past year, asymmetrical design has been growing in popularity, and effect. In fact, your website no longer needs to be bound by the tenants of symmetry. So what does this mean for your website? Well, here at Pumpkin Web Design Manchester, we are Manchester’s leading web design professionals. From Wigan to Southport, we work with companies across Manchester and the surrounding region to deliver high quality web design solutions that really get results. As a result, we have produced this guide to ditching symmetry in web design.

Symmetry in webdesign involves fitting all of your elements into boxes, which perfectly align and match up with the next, both above and below. Inside the boxes, the content will usually also be arranged symmetrically, so that the text balances with the images or illustrations used. No longer using this system does mean that your website can become chaotic though, with pieces of content scattered across the page, without order or structure. That’s why you should consider these tips:

Create your own pattern- your website doesn’t have to stray too far from symmetrical to become striking and visually exciting. For example, instead of balancing your columns of content symmetrically in a grid, simply reshape the grid. Increase the whitespace between elements, and position the images so that they no longer align. This break from the grid will draw the attention, and the eye of your users.
Too much is a bad thing- asymmetrical doesn’t have to mean the lack of order. Just the lack of symmetry. Keep to a repeating layout pattern and apply this across your website to create cohesion across your pages. This will create a more professional outcome. Too many differences between pages and content structure is potentially harmful for your website.
Focus on above the fold content- if you only break the symmetrical mold at one point in your web design, it should be for the above the fold content. This is content that is positioned at the top of the page, before a user scrolls down. This area is usually reserved for large imagery, and asymmetrical design here can be very effective

Advantages of asymmetrical contnet

So, why should you go for an asymmetrical design? Well, there are a number of reasons, including:

Attracting attention to key elements- the human eye is trained to notice small details and changes. As a result, content that breaks out from the grid, and the symmetry, will be noticed almost instantly. And your users will pay close attention to this. As a result, your call to action button, or other key element, is likely to be interacted with more, because it is unmissable.
Modern design- using asymmetrical content brings a contemporary, modern twist to your website which indicates to your website users that your company too is modern and contemporary. This is key for building trust, and increasing sales.

For more information or advice, or for high quality, professional web design solutions, get in touch with the experts today, here at Pumpkin Web Design Manchester.