Thinking of the fold

Joe Julian Updated by Joe Julian

Thinking of the fold πŸ“°

The term the fold in application design refers to the part of a website or app that is visible on the screen without scrolling. In the early days of the web, when most users were viewing websites on desktop computers with relatively small screens, the fold was a very important concept. Designers would carefully place the most important content above the fold so that users would see it immediately.

The fold actually refers to how newspaper editors would make sure the most important headlines would be visible above the fold of the newspaper so they were easily visible on newsstands.

However, as devices have evolved and screens have become larger, the concept of the fold has become less important. Today, users are more likely to scroll on their smartphones and tablets, so designers can afford to place important content below the fold.

That said, the fold is still a useful concept for designers to keep in mind. By placing the most important content above the fold, designers can give users a good first impression and encourage them to explore the rest of the page.

Here are some tips for designing above the fold:

  • πŸ” Place your most important content above the fold.
  • πŸ‘“ Keep your design simple and easy to read.
  • ⬜ Use whitespace to create a sense of calm and simplicity.
  • πŸ’»Test your design on different devices and screen sizes to make sure that the most important content is always visible above the fold.
Overall, the fold is a less important concept in page design today than it was in the past. However, it is still a useful concept for you to keep in mind when creating accessible pages in Page designer, especially if you're trying to reduce scrolling.

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