Fewer
columns
Few years back, 3-column sites were
in trend and 4-column sites were common. Nowadays, 2-column sites are
more ordinary, and 3 is the normally maximum.
Why using fewer columns is good
Less is more. Fewer columns give a
simpler, bold and more honest feel. We're communicating less
information more clearly.
There's also a by-product of the
domination of centered layouts. As we're not filling the whole screen
so much and not trying to get as much on-screen at any one time, we
simply do not need many columns of information.
When it comes to inquiring the status
quo and arriving with simple answers, 37Signals
have always been at the top.
Here, two columns are used by them.
This an excellent case study in simplicity. It lets the message speak,
and adds nothing that could get in the
way.
Apple is the other leader in
elegant simplicity.
Such a type of layout works
effectively and efficiently. Each time I experience Apple's simple
design, the more convinced I become that its zen approach is the holy
grail of design.
This typical Apple layout shows that
someone has honestly asked, "How many boxes/columns/lines do we really need?".Then
they've boldly edited out unnecessary elements, and the result is
undeniably the cleanest, most effective communication.
