What approximate percentage of a page should be dedicated to illustrations and white space for optimal design?

The recommendation to dedicate approximately 40% of a page to illustrations and white space is based on principles of effective visual communication and readability. When a layout incorporates a substantial amount of white space and illustrations, it enhances the overall aesthetic appeal and facilitates better comprehension of the content. White space can guide the reader's eye, creating a sense of organization that makes the text easier to navigate.

Incorporating illustrations is also crucial, as they can aid in explaining concepts and break up large blocks of text, making the information more engaging. A balance is key—the recommended 40% helps ensure that the page does not become visually overwhelming while still providing enough visual information to support the text.

Dedicating too little space to these elements might result in a cluttered appearance, leading to reader fatigue, while too much space could detract from the main message, making important information harder to find. Therefore, the choice of 40% aligns well with established design principles for effective communication in educational materials.