064 Gutenberg Diagram
A diagram that describes the pattern followed by the eyes when looking at a page of information.
• Western cultures read displays from top-left to bottom-right, sweeping from left to right as they progress. The tendency to follow this path is described as “reading gravity”.
• Layouts that follow the diagram and work in harmony with reading gravity purportedly improve reading rhythm and comprehension, though there is little empirical evidence to support this.
• The Gutenberg diagram is only predictive of eye movement for homogeneous displays of information.
• Consider the Gutenberg diagram in layout and composition when elements are evenly distributed. Otherwise, use the weight and composition of elements to lead the eye.
See Also Alignment • Entry Point • Progressive Disclosure Readability • Serial Position Effects
