CenterEverything [anti-pattern] v1.0.0

Default-centering all text, cards, and sections as a safe layout strategy. Results in symmetrical layouts that feel templated, safe, and lacking in designed intentionality.

Label

Centering All Layout Elements

Trap

Centering feels safe and balanced — it avoids the 'which side should this go?' decision. But a fully centered layout communicates 'I didn't make a layout decision', the same way a fully symmetric face communicates nothing about the person. Left-aligned text with intentional whitespace to its right creates natural reading flow, directional tension, and opportunities for asymmetric composition. Centering collapses spatial tension into visual comfort — and visual comfort is not the same as visual interest.

Remediation

• Default to left-aligned text and block-level content. Reserve center alignment for hero headlines, pull quotes, and decorative type treatments where centering is the intentional design choice.
• Use asymmetric grid layouts: two-thirds content column with one-third whitespace creates more energy than a centered content column.
• Break the centered hero template: place content left-aligned with an image or illustration to the right in an asymmetric split.
• Even a heading that starts at left-edge while body text is constrained to 65ch creates hierarchy through asymmetry.

CenterEverything [anti-pattern] v1.0.0

Default-centering all text, cards, and sections as a safe layout strategy. Results in symmetrical layouts that feel templated, safe, and lacking in designed intentionality.

Label

Centering All Layout Elements

Trap

Centering feels safe and balanced — it avoids the 'which side should this go?' decision. But a fully centered layout communicates 'I didn't make a layout decision', the same way a fully symmetric face communicates nothing about the person. Left-aligned text with intentional whitespace to its right creates natural reading flow, directional tension, and opportunities for asymmetric composition. Centering collapses spatial tension into visual comfort — and visual comfort is not the same as visual interest.

Remediation

• Default to left-aligned text and block-level content. Reserve center alignment for hero headlines, pull quotes, and decorative type treatments where centering is the intentional design choice.
• Use asymmetric grid layouts: two-thirds content column with one-third whitespace creates more energy than a centered content column.
• Break the centered hero template: place content left-aligned with an image or illustration to the right in an asymmetric split.
• Even a heading that starts at left-edge while body text is constrained to 65ch creates hierarchy through asymmetry.

Sources

Label

Centering All Layout Elements

Trap

Centering feels safe and balanced — it avoids the 'which side should this go?' decision. But a fully centered layout communicates 'I didn't make a layout decision', the same way a fully symmetric face communicates nothing about the person. Left-aligned text with intentional whitespace to its right creates natural reading flow, directional tension, and opportunities for asymmetric composition. Centering collapses spatial tension into visual comfort — and visual comfort is not the same as visual interest.

Remediation

• Default to left-aligned text and block-level content. Reserve center alignment for hero headlines, pull quotes, and decorative type treatments where centering is the intentional design choice.
• Use asymmetric grid layouts: two-thirds content column with one-third whitespace creates more energy than a centered content column.
• Break the centered hero template: place content left-aligned with an image or illustration to the right in an asymmetric split.
• Even a heading that starts at left-edge while body text is constrained to 65ch creates hierarchy through asymmetry.