In the last issue, I shared the three principles I always check for in a solid design: consistency, hierarchy, and balance.
But once those are in place — and your layout feels clean and intentional — how do you make it stand out? What can you do to give it that extra push to differentiate it from other designs?
This is where I start adding visual interest.
I’m still a believer in less-is-more, so this is nothing flashy or over-the-top. Just a few subtle techniques that add layers and depth — the kind of details most people don’t consciously notice, but feel.
Here are three of my go-to moves:
1. Watermarks
A large, low-opacity icon in the background can add depth without distracting from the main content. It’s especially useful in headers or section dividers where things might otherwise feel too flat.
You can utilize this technique to fill larger areas of white-space, without making it too busy.
Here are a couple examples I’ve executed:
As you see, both examples are used in page heroes, because this is one of the best opportunities to utilize it to bring in not only some visual interest, but pull in the brand as well.
2. Subtle gradients
Instead of solid blocks of color, a soft gradient can add richness and dimension. I usually keep it very light, and will fade from an extra light shade of the main brand color to white.
This creates a visual effect that feels high-end, and helps your page from turning into stripe-y blocks of color.
Here again are a couple of examples:
In the second example, I even combined the subtle gradient with a watermark. Combining these techniques is always encouraged, as it helps create even more depth and interest.
3. Overlapping elements
This one’s all about breaking up the monotony of sections. When you overlap a container with the section above (or below) it, it not only creates more hierarchy, but also encourages visitors to keep scrolling.
Having a design technique that adds visual interest and can help overall engagement is an added bonus.
Here’s a couple ways I’ve used overlapping:
The top image shows images overlapping a colored section below it, while the second image has a light border around each card, but the photos of the houses overlap the top border.
These small moves may seem minor, but they go a long way in making your design feel more refined. Once the foundation is solid, adding subtle visual interest is what turns a good design into a memorable one.
Next time you’re working on a layout that feels a little too clean — try one of these techniques and see what happens.
Until next time,
