Layout Controls
Purpose
To layout a page is not just "throwing" controls on a page. Several aspects have to be considered, such as:
· Flow of control
How the user progresses through a page when doing his or her work.
· Dependencies
How elements on a page affect each other.
· Togetherness
Which elements on a page belong to each other, there may be closer and farther relations between elements.
· Aesthetics and general design principles
How information can be effectively communicated visually.
The layout process has three steps - these can be done in the following sequence:
· Sequence of elements (vertical, horizontal).
· Nesting of elements.
· Spacing between elements at different hierarchy levels.
The sequence takes care of the flow of control, dependencies, and information about which elements belong together - the latter in a more linear fashion. The nesting also takes care of dependencies and of togetherness - but in a hierarchical or top-down fashion. The spacing takes care for aesthetics and the proper application of design principles (mostly togetherness).