Technology / Design Guide / 02

Depth

Use physical separation to make content readable as volume rather than as a stack of flat layers.

Depth design guide visual

Definition

Depth is the physical separation between layers of media and the visual relationship those layers create as the audience moves.

Core principle

Depth becomes meaningful when the audience can understand foreground, middle and background.

Depth principle diagram — Principle diagram

Questions to ask

Where will the audience enter and move?
How much parallax should be visible?
Which layer carries the main idea?
Can the architecture provide meaningful depth?

Recommended approach

Establish foreground, middle and background roles.
Test the work from more than one viewpoint.
Use contrast and timing to separate layers.
Leave enough empty space for the volume to remain readable.

Common pitfalls

Stacking layers too closely
Designing only for a front camera view
Filling every layer at the same brightness