eraldusjoon

eraldusjoon is a term used in graphic design and information architecture to describe a visual separator line that delineates blocks of content without becoming a dominant element. In practice, it serves as a lightweight boundary, helping readers scan layouts by providing rhythm and structure rather than content emphasis. It is often implemented as a thin line, a subtle change in color, or an intentional use of white space.

The word derives from Estonian eraldus ('separation') and joon ('line'). It has circulated in contemporary design discourse and glossaries since the early 2020s, particularly among Baltic and northern European designers, though it is not a formal term in typographic standards.

In print design, an eraldusjoon may be a hairline rule or a light gutter that creates a clear but unobtrusive separation. In digital design, it can be realized as a CSS border, an HR-like element, or as an implied boundary created by consistent margins and padding. Designers use eraldusjoon to separate sections such as headings and body text, card components, or navigation groups, often choosing muted colors to maintain visual quiet.

Because it is not a standardized term, definitions and usage vary. Some designers treat eraldusjoon as synonymous with a divider or rule, while others reserve the term for spacing-based separation that does not rely on a visible line.

See also: divider (typography); horizontal rule; separator; CSS border.