The human mind’s inability to pay equal attention to all available information simultaneously inevitably leads to the prioritization of certain visual elements over others. The underlying pattern the brain uses to focus on specific items and ignore others is referred to as visual hierarchy in Gestalt psychology.
This concept plays a significant role in designing a successful digital product. Explore tips on leveraging visual hierarchy from professional UX/UI designers at Widelab.co.
1. Work with color
The best practice in UX/UI design is to use color to emphasize specific elements rather than solely for visual appeal. Prioritizing minimalistic and consistent color palettes across different components of a product, using colors that do not cause visual discomfort, should be a primary focus for designers.
Furthermore, color coding or associating specific colors with categories or actions can further enhance usability.
2. Experiment with size
Just like contrasting colors, larger visual elements naturally attract more attention. Keep this in mind and reserve the largest items, including fonts, buttons, icons, and images, for primary actions or content.
3. Consistent typography
Consistency in fonts is also crucial for setting up an effective visual hierarchy. Apply the size variation mentioned above, and use distinct font styles for headings, subheadings, and special messages to differentiate them from the rest of the content.
Additionally, remember the importance of adjusting letter spacing, known as tracking, as well as line spacing or leading to optimize readability
4. Leverage whitespace
Separating elements with appropriate margins and padding also contributes to the visual hierarchy. By adjusting the amount of whitespace around elements, you can visually group related items or set them apart from the rest. You can achieve the latter effect by leaving more space around an element.
5. Balance visual elements
While icons and illustrations can enhance the visual appeal of your product, always consider their ability to capture the user’s attention.
Ensure you use them in appropriate contexts where they can convey meaning, rather than adding them solely for aesthetic purposes.
6. Establish a visual hierarchy based on user flow
The tips mentioned above have demonstrated how to use visual elements to establish a visual hierarchy for your product. However, when planning their placement, remember the natural flow of user interactions, paying particular attention to the areas where a user is most likely to look first. This can be the ideal location for positioning the most critical elements, which can be emphasized using the principles of visual hierarchy discussed earlier.
At the same time, ensure that you do not overwhelm users. Instead, gradually reveal more details.
Conclusions
An effective visual hierarchy enables designers to navigate users through digital applications. This, in turn, enhances the overall usability of a software product. To find more about real-world applications of the principles discussed in the article, explore case studies on Widelab.co.