Pathwise

Manuals / Graphic Design / Chapter 2

A · See · beginner · Week 1 · Chapter 2 of 13

Learn to see: hierarchy & contrast

Design starts with eyes, not tools. Train yourself to notice what appears first, second, third — then control that order on purpose. Contrast (size, weight, color, space) is how you steer the eye.

Path progress
10%

Step 1 of 3

Squint test

Squint at a poster until details blur. Blobs of contrast reveal hierarchy. If everything screams, nothing speaks.

Squint testDrag stickies · tap for tips
Study mapDrag stickies · tap for tipsKeep it shortdrag · tap →Name the waitdrag · tap →Scope locatorsdrag · tap →Trace when stuckdrag · tap →One browser firstdrag · tap →Isolate statedrag · tap →Assert the UIdrag · tap →Retry wiselydrag · tap →Seed datadrag · tap →Close the loopdrag · tap →Keep it shortdrag · tap →Name the waitdrag · tap →Scope locatorsdrag · tap →Trace when stuckdrag · tap →One browser firstdrag · tap →Isolate statedrag · tap →Pathwise hackdrag · tap →Squint testdrag · tap →Try thisdrag · tap →Follow the dashed drag · tap →

Do this now

Screenshot 3 ads from Behance or Instagram. Mark 1st / 2nd / 3rd read with numbered circles.

Was this step clear?
Chapter learning outcomes
  • Visual hierarchy
  • Contrast types
  • Squint test
  • One-message layouts

Clear these before you leave

Side quest

Quiet poster

Design a poster for a fictional night market. One headline, one date/location line, one CTA. No clip art.