In design theory, visual hierarchy refers to the order in which elements in a design are perceived by the viewer.

In design theory, visual hierarchy refers to the order in which elements in a design are perceived by the viewer.

It is based on the idea that certain elements in a design should be more prominent or noticeable than others, in order to guide the viewer’s attention and convey information effectively.

There are several factors that can affect visual hierarchy, including size, colour, placement, and contrast.

By using these factors to highlight certain elements and de-emphasise others, designers can create a sense of hierarchy in their designs.

Effective visual hierarchy can help designers achieve a number of goals, including:

• Guiding the viewer’s attention: By making certain elements more prominent, designers can guide the viewer’s attention and focus to specific areas of the design.
• Conveying importance: By using visual hierarchy to highlight certain elements, designers can communicate the relative importance of different pieces of information or elements within the design.
• Creating a clear and cohesive design: By using visual hierarchy to create a clear hierarchy of elements, designers can create a design that is easy to understand and navigate.

Important things in Visual Hierarchy

1. Establish a clear hierarchy: Start by determining the most important elements in your design and use visual hierarchy to make them more prominent.
2. Use size to create hierarchy: One of the most effective ways to create visual hierarchy is to use size to make certain elements stand out. For example, you can use larger text or graphics to draw attention to important information.
3. Use colour to create hierarchy: Colour is another powerful tool for creating visual hierarchy. You can use color to highlight important elements or to create contrast between different parts of the design.
4. Use placement to create hierarchy: The position of elements in a design can also affect visual hierarchy. For example, elements that are higher up in the design or closer to the center of the page are generally more noticeable.
5. Use contrast to create hierarchy: Highlighting certain elements by making them stand out through contrast can also create visual hierarchy. For example, you can use a light color on a dark background or vice versa to create contrast.
6. Use typography to create hierarchy: Typography can be used to create visual hierarchy by using different font sizes, styles, and weights to highlight important text.
7. Use white space to create hierarchy: White space, or the areas around and between elements in a design, can be used to create hierarchy by drawing attention to certain elements and de-emphasizing others.
8. Use repetition to create hierarchy: Repeating certain design elements, such as colour or typography, can help create a sense of hierarchy by drawing the viewer’s attention to these elements.
9. Use visual hierarchy to guide the viewer: Use visual hierarchy to guide the viewer’s attention and help them understand the information presented in the design.
10. Test your design: After creating your design, test it to ensure that the visual hierarchy is effective and that the most important elements are prominent and easy to understand.