Visual Audit

Visual Audit

Purpose

Perform a structured visual design critique of an interface, producing specific actionable feedback on hierarchy, contrast, spacing, typography, color, and overall coherence.

Inputs

• Screenshots, mockups, or live implementation of the interface
• Design system or style guide (if it exists)
• Target context (marketing page, app dashboard, settings screen, etc.)
• Accessibility requirements (WCAG AA, AAA, or custom)

Process

Step 1: Squint Test

View the interface at arm's length (or blur it mentally). Identify:

• What's the loudest element? Is it the right one?
• Can you identify the primary action within 3 seconds?
• Is there a clear visual reading order?
• Are there any areas of visual "soup" (too much competing for attention)?

Step 2: Hierarchy Audit

Check the information hierarchy:

• Heading levels: Are there clear H1 → H2 → H3 distinctions via size and weight?
• Primary vs secondary actions: Is the primary action visually dominant (filled button) vs secondary (ghost/outline)?
• Content grouping: Are related items visually grouped (proximity) and distinct groups separated (spacing)?
• Emphasis distribution: Is anything fighting for attention that shouldn't be?

Step 3: Typography Audit

Check the type system:

• Scale consistency: Are font sizes from a defined scale (not arbitrary)?
• Line height: Is body text at 1.4-1.6x line height for readability?
• Measure: Are line lengths between 45-75 characters for body text?
• Weight usage: Is font weight used semantically (bold for emphasis, not decoration)?
• Font pairing: Are typefaces intentionally paired (one serif + one sans, or a single family)?

Step 4: Color and Contrast Audit

Check color usage:

• Contrast ratios: All text meets WCAG AA (4.5:1 normal text, 3:1 large text)
• Color meaning: Color is not the sole indicator of status (add icons, text, patterns)
• Palette coherence: Colors come from a defined palette, not ad-hoc hex values
• Dark mode: If supported, contrast ratios are verified in dark mode too
• Saturation balance: No oversaturated elements that vibrate or strain eyes

Step 5: Spacing and Alignment Audit

Check spatial consistency:

• Grid adherence: Elements align to a defined grid (4px, 8px base)
• Consistent spacing: Same-level items use the same spacing value
• Breathing room: Content doesn't feel cramped; whitespace is used intentionally
• Alignment lines: Elements that should align actually align (check left edges, baselines)

Step 6: Component Consistency Audit

Check for visual consistency:

• Button styles: All buttons of the same type look the same
• Card patterns: Cards share border radius, shadow, padding
• Icon style: Icons are from one set (outlined, filled, or mixed intentionally)
• Form elements: Inputs, selects, and textareas share a visual language

Output Format

# Visual Audit Report

## Overall Assessment
**Score:** [1-10]
**Summary:** [2-3 sentences on the interface's visual effectiveness]

## Squint Test Results
- **Primary focus:** [What draws the eye first — is this correct?]
- **Reading order:** [Clear / Unclear / Competing elements]
- **Visual noise:** [Low / Medium / High]

## Findings

### [CRITICAL] [Category] — [Finding]
**Current:** [What's happening now]
**Issue:** [Why it's a problem — cite specific principle]
**Fix:** [Specific change — exact values where possible]

### [IMPROVEMENT] [Category] — [Finding]
**Current:** [What's happening now]
**Suggestion:** [Specific improvement with rationale]

## Contrast Report
| Element | Foreground | Background | Ratio | Pass AA |
|---------|-----------|------------|-------|---------|
| Body text | #333 | #fff | 12.6:1 | Yes |
| Muted text | #999 | #fff | 2.8:1 | NO |

## Quick Wins
1. [Change that would have the biggest visual impact for the least effort]
2. [Second quick win]
3. [Third quick win]

Quality Checks

• Every finding includes a specific fix, not just a problem description
• Contrast ratios are calculated with actual color values
• Typography findings reference a type scale or specific sizes
• Spacing findings reference a grid system or specific values
• At least 3 quick wins are identified with effort-to-impact prioritization
• Dark mode contrast is checked if dark mode is supported

Evolution Notes