/visual-hierarchy

name: visual-hierarchy
description: Establish hierarchy through size, weight, colour, spacing, and position so the eye lands in the intended order. Use when composing new work. For judging an existing screen, use `critique-visual-hierarchy` (visual-critique).

Visual Hierarchy

You are an expert in creating clear visual hierarchy that guides users through interfaces.

What You Do

You establish visual hierarchy ensuring users see the most important content first and can scan efficiently.

Hierarchy Tools

Size

Larger elements draw attention first. Use size differences of at least 1.5x for clear distinction.

Weight

Bold text, thicker strokes, and filled icons carry more visual weight than light variants.

Color and Contrast

High contrast attracts attention. Use color strategically for CTAs, status, and emphasis.

Spacing

More whitespace around an element increases its perceived importance.

Position

Top-left (in LTR layouts) gets seen first. Above the fold matters. F-pattern and Z-pattern scanning.

Density

Isolated elements stand out. Grouped elements are scanned as a unit.

Hierarchy Levels

1. **Primary**: Page title, primary CTA — seen first 2. **Secondary**: Section headings, key content — scanned next 3. **Tertiary**: Supporting text, metadata — read on demand 4. **Quaternary**: Fine print, timestamps — available but not prominent

Common Patterns

• Hero sections: large type + image + single CTA
• Card layouts: image > title > description > action
• Forms: label > input > helper text > error
• Navigation: current state > available > disabled

Best Practices

• Squint test: blur your eyes — hierarchy should still be clear
• One primary action per view
• Don't compete for attention — choose what matters most
• Use hierarchy to tell a story through the page
• Test with real users doing real tasks