One way that you can ensure that your users understand and find the important areas of your design is by using emphasis.

Emphasis means that an object or element is attracting attention.

There are several ways to add emphasis to your designs.

• Size

  A great example of size is the visible text within an app's design. Using a larger size for the title of the page, like "watermelon" in the image below, helps to orient the user. That page name should be bigger or bolder than the rest of the text on that page to show the importance of that specific text.

• Contrast: Creation of opposing visual elements to convey emphasis or comparison.

  the checkout cart and "order" buttons are colored bright red and purple which contrasts with the otherwise white and gray app.

  

• Texture:

  • add depth or a pattern to an object. Texture can make an object stand out from other objects within a design and should be used sparingly to draw the user’s gaze.
  • One way to create emphasis using texture is to place lines or shapes over an image that is used repeatedly. Adding texture provides a break in the pattern of the same image and it gives users something to interact with.
  • For example, if you are designing a page to show users information about your brand, like in the image of an app below, adding texture is a great way to add emphasis and draw the user’s eyes to a part of the design. In the graphic, the "80% of our shoppers" is represented by the polka dotted section of the pie chart. In other words, the most important section of the chart is emphasized with texture.