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05Language stage

Hierarchy

Design the visual language — use form to communicate clearly

If your design isn't working, one of these eight principles is probably why. Use this card as a diagnostic checklist — find what's broken and fix it.

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  1. 01

    Hierarchy

    If someone has to work out where to look first, the design isn't finished yet.

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  2. 02

    Contrast

    If you have to look closely to see the difference, there isn't enough contrast.

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  3. 03

    Scale

    Make something bigger. Much bigger than feels comfortable. Now it's probably about right.

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  4. 04

    Alignment and structure

    Randomly placed elements look accidental. Intentional alignment looks considered.

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  5. 05

    White space

    The empty space is doing as much work as the content. Are you letting it?

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  6. 06

    Repetition and consistency

    Inconsistency reads as carelessness, even when it wasn't.

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  7. 07

    Rhythm and flow

    Draw the path your eye takes through this design. Is that the path you intended?

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  8. 08

    Balance

    Your layout is leaning. You probably already know which side.

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