visual-hierarchy
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).
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/owl-listener/designer-skills --skill visual-hierarchy- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads visual-hierarchy automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
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
- Use hierarchy to tell a story through the page
- Test with real users doing real tasks
FAQ
What does the visual-hierarchy skill do?
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).
How do I install visual-hierarchy?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/owl-listener/designer-skills --skill visual-hierarchy in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/visual-hierarchy/ (personal) or .claude/skills/visual-hierarchy/ (project).
Which AI agents can use visual-hierarchy?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is visual-hierarchy safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains visual-hierarchy?
It is published by owl-listener in owl-listener/designer-skills. It has 2,540 recorded installs.
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