100 Days of Posters / Day 001 of 100

Day 1: The Hierarchy

Three levels of importance, set with type alone.

Chapter: 01 Foundations
Level: Beginner
Time: 30–60 minutes
Canvas: 1080 × 1350 px

The principle

Visual hierarchy is the order in which a viewer reads a design. Before anyone reads a single word, they register size, weight, position and space. When those differences are clear, the eye knows where to start, where to go next and what can wait. When everything is equally loud, nothing is heard.

Objective. Learn how size, weight, placement, and spacing influence the order in which information is perceived.

The brief

Design a poster using only typography to communicate three levels of importance.

Create an original poster announcing a fictional design exhibition.

Required information

DESIGN IN MOTION
NOVEMBER 14
TORONTO, CANADA

Constraints

Typography only
Black and white
Maximum two typefaces
No photography
No illustration

You're done when

A clear primary focal point
Readable secondary information
Intentional spacing and alignment
A hierarchy that works without colour

Stretch goal

Make a second version where the smallest line of text is read first. Use position and space, not size, to pull the eye there.