Position Quote by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic
““Position on page Without other visual cues, most members of your audience will start at the top left of your visual or slide and scan with their eyes in zigzag motions across the screen or page. They see the top of the page first, which makes this precious real estate. Think about putting the most important thing here (see Figure 4.17). Figure 4.17 The zigzag “z” of taking in information on a screen or page””
About This Quote
Source Book: Storytelling with Data, 2015
People naturally start scanning a page from the top left, so placing key information there captures attention early.
In simple terms: Place important info top‑left.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize critical content in the visual hierarchy.
Themes
design
visual communication
attention
Mood
analytical
practical
Type
educational
strategic
When to use this quote
- presentations
- reports
- web pages
- infographics
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
information hierarchy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you test visual flow?
- What alternatives exist for non‑left‑to‑right readers?
A Different Perspective
If the audience reads differently, the hierarchy may fail.
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