Hierarchy

Hierarchy is the organization of a group of images, objects, people, etc. that are arranged in a specific order or rank from superior to subordinate. The subordinate elements are directly linked to one superior element. Often in graphic design, the primary task is to create a strong, consistent visual hierarchy in which important elements are emphasized and content is organized logically and predictably.
 * Hierarchy**


 * In terms of interactive design we can see hierarchy in places such as:**
 * A hierarchal network- a directory that contains other files and/or directories.
 * The Internet is an organized hierarchy so as to accommodate the growth of the Internet and the accumulation of various pages, activities, links, etc.
 * Hierarchy is also evident in interactive sites and other activities in terms of the order in which one goes to attain or achieve something. From one main superior element, one can move on to other subordinate elements such as paths on a concept map. It also helps to achieve a visual look of organization and ease of navigation.

One example we can look at is the design of [|william-sonoma.com]. The most effective designs for general Internet audiences use a careful balance of text and links with relatively small graphics. These pages load into browsers quickly, even when accessed from slow modems, yet still achieve substantial graphic impact.



The overall graphic balance and organization of the page is crucial to drawing the reader into your content. A dull page of solid text will repel the eye as a mass of undifferentiated gray, without obvious cues to the structure of your information. A page dominated by poorly designed or overly bold graphics or typography will also distract or repel users looking for substantive content. You will need to strike an appropriate balance between attracting the eye with visual contrast and providing a sense of organization.

http://www.learnthat.com/define/view.asp?id=2772
 * Helpful links:**

http://imnh.isu.edu/digitalatlas/glossary/letter.asp?letter=H

http://www.ooportal.com/corba-fundamentals/glossary.html

http://www.keithyates.com/glossary.htm#anchor517411

McAdams, S. & E. Bigand, eds. (1993). Thinking in Sound: The Cognitive Psychology of Human Audition, Clarendon Oxford. 
 * References:**

"Hierarchy." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 5 Jan 2008, 00:03 UTC. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 8 Jan 2008 .

"Visual Hierarchy." Web Style Guide, Second Edition. 30 Jan 2008 http://webstyleguide.com/page/hierarchy.html.

Added by sarah62 Modified by kdiduck