In the digital world, content is typically arranged in a linear fashion, whether it’s scrolling vertically or horizontally. However, this doesn’t always work well for complex or exploratory thoughts. That’s where the concept of the infinite canvas comes in. By allowing content to be positioned anywhere, it leverages our spatial skills, which we often rely on in the physical world for organization and memory. Infinite canvases have been used for these types of tasks, but there is potential to push the concept further. By adding physical forces, such as preventing overlap and automating grouping, and by implementing Gestalt-like rules into exported data, we can create a more flexible and powerful tool. Experimenting with different interface options, such as text documents, spreadsheets, timelines, and canvases, can lead to exciting possibilities. Although this is not a revolutionary idea, it would be great to see more exploration and experimentation in the evolution of infinite canvases, combining the strengths of the physical and digital worlds.
https://wattenberger.com/thoughts/evolving-the-infinite-canvas