Form Follows Focus: Rethinking Digital Space
Donovan Dynamics – Dimension Three: Space
Every system exists somewhere. Even in digital products, where there are no walls or gravity, we still experience a sense of space—where things are, how they’re arranged, what’s visible, and what’s hidden.
In Donovan Dynamics, Space is the third dimension of Fundamentals. It’s about containment, layout, and the mental model that helps people understand where they are.
Whether it’s a landing page, a mobile app, or an entire ecosystem, space is what gives a system shape. It helps users make sense of the environment. And when space is clear, so is everything else.
Digital Space Is Psychological
We don’t think about digital space like we do physical space—but we should. A homepage is a room. A modal is a drawer. Tabs are doorways. Overflow menus are closets.
When you get space right:
People feel grounded
They know what’s important
They know where to go next
When you get it wrong:
Everything feels crowded or chaotic
Users feel lost
They start tapping around aimlessly, or worse—leave
Space isn’t just layout. It’s intuitive geography.
Case Study: IKEA Website Redesign
When I worked on rethinking IKEA’s digital flow, we wanted to preserve the feeling of wandering through rooms. The in-store experience is inherently spatial—people explore through discovery, not search.
So we leaned into digital containment and hierarchy:
Clear sections with visual anchors
Product clusters that felt like “rooms”
Space to breathe between steps
A logical architecture behind the scenes
Our goal wasn’t just usability—it was spatial storytelling. We wanted the interface to feel like a well-designed store: easy to explore, not overwhelming, and full of intentional moments.
How to Design with Space
Space shows up in:
Layouts and page structure
Grouping and proximity
Visual hierarchy and contrast
Navigation patterns and spatial metaphors
Transitions between views or steps
It’s not about minimalism or whitespace. It’s about meaningful spatial relationships.
Questions to Ask in the Space Dimension
Is everything fighting for attention—or is there flow?
What’s the user’s current “room”?
Do spatial cues guide movement or create friction?
Can users orient themselves without asking for help?
Closing Thought: Give the System Shape
Space gives form to thought. It lets users place themselves inside the system—and once they feel grounded, they can explore freely.
In Donovan Dynamics, Space isn’t just where things live. It’s how people understand where they are.