Visual Basics
Proximity in UI
Proximity in UI design is about grouping elements by their spatial relationship. According to Gestalt principles, objects placed close together are perceived as related, while those spaced farther apart are seen as separate. This makes proximity one of the most powerful tools to guide user attention without adding extra visual clutter.
Think of a simple form: when labels are close to their input fields, users instantly understand the relationship. If there’s too much distance between them, confusion arises—do I type my email above or below the label? Proximity eliminates the guesswork.
Proximity also drives scannability. In dashboards or content-heavy UIs, grouping related information into clusters makes it easier to read and process. For example, grouping an image, title, and description into a card shows they belong together. Without that grouping, the layout feels chaotic, even if the content is identical.
Practical tips:
Group related items tightly: Buttons, icons, or text that belong to the same function should “live” close together.
Use white space strategically: More space between groups signals separation, less space within groups signals unity.
Align thoughtfully: Proximity works hand in hand with alignment—misaligned items break the perception of relatedness.
Don’t rely only on borders: If you need a box to make relationships clear, check if proximity adjustments could do the job first.
A common mistake is ignoring micro-spacing. Designers often focus on big-picture layouts but overlook the 8px difference that separates a label from its input. Small inconsistencies in proximity can make interfaces feel messy or hard to follow.
Proximity doesn’t just make interfaces look neat—it reduces cognitive load. When users don’t have to puzzle out what belongs together, they move faster and feel more confident. That’s why proximity is often called the “silent hero” of UI design.
By using proximity, you’re not just designing a layout—you’re designing a visual map that tells users where to look and how to interpret the interface, without a single word of explanation.