"Visual hierarchy, according to Gestalt psychology, is a pattern in the visual field wherein some elements tend to 'stand out,' or attract attention, more strongly than other elements, suggesting a hierarchy of importance."
The arrangement of visual elements in order of importance so that the most important elements catch the viewer's attention first. This topic covers the use of size, color, contrast, and typography to create a clear visual hierarchy.
The Gestalt principles: Understanding how humans perceive and organize visual information into meaningful patterns.
Contrast: Using differences in color, size, shape, and other visual features to create visual interest and emphasize important information.
White space: Use of empty space between elements in a layout to reduce clutter and draw attention to key elements.
Proximity: Arranging elements close together to create a sense of unity and connectedness.
Balance: Distributing visual weight across a layout to create a stable and harmonious design.
Alignment: Ensuring all elements on a layout line up with each other in a consistent and visually pleasing way.
Typography: Choosing appropriate fonts, sizes, and styles to create a hierarchy of information and guide the reader's eye.
Color theory: Understanding the emotional associations and cultural meanings of different colors, and using them to create visual interest and convey meaning.
Visual cues: Using arrows, icons, and other visual elements to guide the reader's eye and highlight important information.
Image placement: Choosing the right images to support the message of a design, and positioning them in a way that enhances visual hierarchy.
Brand identity: Ensuring all visual elements are consistent with a brand's overall style and message.
User experience design: Considering how a design will be experienced by the user and ensuring optimal readability and ease of use.
Size: The size of an element in a layout determines the level of importance it has. The larger the element, the more important it is.
Color: Color can be used to create contrast, draw attention, and highlight important elements.
Contrast: Contrast occurs when two or more elements in a layout differ in some way, such as in color, size, or shape.
Typography: The style, size, and placement of text can all convey a sense of hierarchy.
Proximity: Grouping related items together creates a sense of cohesion and importance.
Orientation: Depending on the design, the orientation of elements in a layout can create visual hierarchy.
Grids: Grids and other frameworks for positioning elements on a page can also create visual hierarchy.
White Space: The use of white space, or negative space, can help to create a sense of balance and draw attention to important elements.
Texture: Texture can be used to create contrast and interest in a design, and to highlight important elements.
Shape: The use of shape can help to create a sense of order and hierarchy in a design.
Depth: The use of depth, such as through shading or the placement of elements in 3D space, can help to create a sense of hierarchy.
Motion: Motion can be used to draw attention to elements and create a sense of importance.
"While it may occur naturally in any visual field..."
"...the term is most commonly used in design (especially graphic design and cartography)..."
"...where elements are intentionally designed to make some look more important than others."
"This order is created by the visual contrast between forms in a field of perception."
"Objects with the highest contrast to their surroundings are recognized first by the human mind."