Visual hierarchy helps users navigate a page and understand which elements are interactive. When using semi-transparent overlays, it can be difficult to distinguish between the background page and foreground controls.
Best Practices for Overlays
- Drop Shadows: Use soft shadows (e.g.,
box-shadow: 0 10px 40px rgba(0,0,0,0.2)) to define depth levels and elevate components. - Borders: Always include border accents to outline the edges of cards and modals.
- Backdrop Blur: Set a blur radius of at least 16px to prevent background patterns from bleeding into the overlay text.
These simple changes establish clear visual order, making the interface easier to use for low-vision and cognitive-impaired users.