# Learning Objectives — Day-04: Composition, Layout, Grids & Visual Hierarchy

**Module:** M02 — Design Fundamentals
**Instructor:** Ali Akbar Shah

After this lesson, you can:

1. **Explain visual hierarchy in your own words** — describe it as the
   planned 1st-2nd-3rd order in which the eye sees elements, built with
   size, weight, color, position, and space.

2. **Draw and use basic grids** — construct 2-column, 3-column, and
   3×3 (rule-of-thirds) grids on paper and align layout elements to them.

3. **Apply the rule of thirds** — place the key element of a layout on or
   near one of the four power points instead of dead center, and explain
   why.

4. **Use negative space deliberately** — leave intentional empty areas to
   create focus and clarity, and explain its three jobs (focus, clarity,
   premium feeling).

5. **Design with reading patterns** — place headline, details, and
   call-to-action along the Z-pattern (simple layouts) or F-pattern
   (text-heavy layouts).

6. **Run the 3-second test** — show a layout to someone for 3 seconds and
   judge whether the main message was communicated, then fix the hierarchy
   if it failed.