week 5 - visual hierarchies
TRANSCRIPT
IMD09117 and IMD09118 Web Design and Development Unit 5
Visual hierarchies and perceptual layering
Visual hierarchy
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Users first see large masses of shape and colour
Secondarily see information in graphics
Finally read individual words and phrases from text
When users see a visual interface
Visual hierarchy
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Creates a centre of interest that attracts the viewer’s attention
Creates a sense of order and balance
Establishes a pattern of movement to guide a viewer through a composition
Visual weight
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Visual weight is the degree to which an element demands our attention and also keeps our interest
It is a relative concept
Visual weight
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Hello
Visual weight
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Hello
Visual weight
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Hello
Figure and ground relation
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Figure and ground relation
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Figure and ground relation
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Figure and ground relation
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Figure and ground relation
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Figure and ground relation
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Figure and ground relation
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Figure and ground relation
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Directing the viewer’s eye
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Primary scanning pattern is vertical-horizontal referents
Secondary scanning pattern is the left-lower perceptual pull
Directing the viewer’s eye
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Primary scanning
Directing the viewer’s eye
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Secondary scanning
Directing the viewer’s eye
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How do your eyes move?
Directing the viewer’s eye
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How do your eyes move?
Visual recognition
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Layout
Visual recognition
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Points to consider
Visual recognition occurs in first few seconds of viewing
Squint test – tells you which elements are prominent
Graphic balance is important with visual contrast
Visual recognition
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Points to consider
Pastel shades are best for background and minor elements
Use bold, saturated primary colours in areas of maximum emphasis
But with caution
Perceptual layering
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Perceptual layering uses colour to create apparent layers on the screen
Place most important items on the upper layers and less important below
Allows viewers to concentrate on the important areas and ignore noise
Perceptual layering
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Perceptual layering is used in other application areas such as cartography
To be effective, take into consideration human factors, colour science and colour perception
Perceptual layering
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Perceptual layering
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Can link related but non-contiguous areas
Allows more effective scanning
Provides consistency
Reduces clutter
Colour coding
Perceptual layering
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Colour coding
Perceptual layering
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Colour coding
Perceptual layering
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Colour coding
http://www.enjoyburlington.com/
http://www.bbc.co.uk
Experimental conclusions
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Size - larger text dominates over smaller text.
Text style is secondary to size
Images must be much larger than text to act as entry points
Experimental conclusions
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Scanning – left-right, top-bottom used for text and bullet points, not between images, titles or links
Non-contiguous areas of common background colour did not cause sequencing
Experimental conclusions
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Middle top of the page appears dominant, the left hand bottom are secondary
Example http://www.espc/co/uk
Summary
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A visual hierarchy creates a centre of interest that attracts the viewer’s attention, creates a sense of order and balance, and guides a viewer through a page
Visual weight is the degree to which an element demands our attention and also keeps our interest
Summary
Version A Unit 5 ©2008 Napier University
The primary scanning pattern is vertical-horizontal referents. The secondary scanning pattern is the left-lower perceptual pull.
The overall graphic balance and organisation of the page is crucial to drawing the user into your content
Summary
Version A Unit 5 ©2008 Napier University
Perceptual layering uses colour to create apparent layers on the screen.
The most task relevant details are highlighted by being placed on the upper layers, whilst the lower layers are used to contain less important information.