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).
Start a fresh conversation. Replace the highlighted placeholders.
Use visual-hierarchy to propose a hierarchy specification for [screen or page], including the intended scan order and one primary action.
Required inputs
[screen or page]
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SKILL.md
name: visual-hierarchydescription: 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
Primary: Page title, primary CTA — seen first
Secondary: Section headings, key content — scanned next
Tertiary: Supporting text, metadata — read on demand
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