We tend to read from left to right, top to bottom. In that sense, we are often told what to read first. However, there are other, more creative methods of showing hierarchy. Hierarchy refers to the order of things. For example, the royal family Know that, as you are searching for ways to show hierarchy, things that look the same in appearance are thought to have the same importance. Depending on your design and the necessary components, you may have a lot of things competing for attention. Some ways to show hierarchy are outlined below:
- Size/Scale: This is one of the most common ways to show hierarchy. The larger the element, the more attention it will attract, compared to smaller elements.
- Color: Bright colors are more likely to draw attention than drab shades. After bright colors, richer and darker ones will grab the eye’s attention. Lighter tints follow, because they seem more washed out and distant. At the bottom of the color hierarchy are the grayscale or muted, subdued colors.
- Contrast: Contrast can be thought of as an extreme/obvious difference. Dramatically contrasting colors will catch the eye more than slightly contrasting colors.
- Depth: Things that appear in the foreground will be perceived as more important than objects in the background.
When you look at a design, ask:
How has hierarchy been considered?
Is there a sense of hierarchy?
