Design hierarchy is a principle in design that refers to the order in which the human eye perceives what it sees. This means that some elements in a design are seen as more important or dominant than others, and this hierarchy helps to guide the viewer’s eye to the most important parts of the design.
There are several ways to create a hierarchy in your design, and the best approach will depend on the specific project and your personal design style. Here are some common techniques that you can use to create hierarchy in your designs:
1. Use size to create hierarchy.
This is perhaps the most straightforward way to create hierarchy in your design. By making certain elements larger than others, you can immediately draw the viewer’s eye to those elements and indicate their importance.
2. Use color to create hierarchy.
Color is another powerful tool that you can use to create hierarchy in your design. By using a bold, attention-grabbing color for important elements, you can make them stand out and draw the viewer’s eye.
3. Use contrast to create hierarchy.
Contrast refers to the difference between two elements, and it can be a very effective way to create hierarchy in your design. By using high contrast between elements, you can make certain elements stand out and grab the viewer’s attention.
4. Use position to create hierarchy.
The position of elements in a design can also be used to create hierarchy. By placing important elements at the top or center of the design, you can make them the focus of the viewer’s attention.
How to apply it to your design?
Once you have a good understanding of how to create hierarchy in your designs, you can start applying these techniques to your own projects. Here are some tips to help you get started:
1. Identify the most important elements in your design.
Before you start applying hierarchy to your design, take a moment to identify the most important elements. These might be the main message or call to action, or they might be key pieces of information that you want to make sure the viewer sees.
2. Use a combination of techniques to create hierarchy.
Don’t be afraid to use multiple techniques to create hierarchy in your design. For example, you might use size, color, and contrast together to make certain elements stand out.
3. Be consistent with your hierarchy.
Once you have established a hierarchy in your design, it’s important to be consistent with it. This means using the same techniques and the same level of emphasis on all the important elements in your design.
By following these tips and using the techniques described above, you can create a strong hierarchy in your designs that will help guide the viewer’s eye and make your designs more effective.
