Arranging elements.
WHY ALIGNMENT MATTERS
Aligned elements read as ordered and deliberate.
Misalignment reads as careless, even when people cannot say why.
WHAT TO ALIGN TO
A small number of consistent edges.
WHAT THAT MEANS
Elements share left edges, or centres, consistently down the page.
WHAT TO AVOID
Centring long text, which makes every line start in a different place Mixing alignments without reason Almost-alignment, which is worse than obvious difference
THAT LAST POINT
Two elements nearly aligned look like a mistake. Either align them or separate them clearly.
WHAT A GRID PROVIDES
A structure elements align to, producing consistency without decisions each time.
WHAT TO KEEP CONSISTENT
Margins Column positions Where content starts
WHAT TO CHECK
Squint at the page. Misalignment becomes obvious.
WHAT ELSE THAT REVEALS
Whether the emphasis is where you intended.
