I’ve been studying comics, getting back into drawing, and, as always, I find connections to UX Design. The more I study visual storytelling, the clearer it becomes that the way information is structured directly impacts how we experience content—whether it’s a comic or a digital product. If a poorly designed comic layout can confuse a reader, a badly structured app or website can push users away. And the technique that solves this in comics is called decoupage.

Decoupage is the way panels are arranged on a page to guide the reader in a smooth, intuitive way. The size, positioning, and pacing of scenes are carefully planned to create impact and emotion at the right moment. And this applies directly to UX. When we design screen flows and interfaces, we are essentially organizing information and interactions to guide users effectively.

The Rhythm of Experience Matters

In comics, decoupage defines the reading pace. Small, fragmented panels create tension, while larger panels allow for breathing space. If a character is running, the panels might be tightly packed with quick cuts to convey urgency. If the moment is introspective, a larger panel allows the reader to absorb the scene.

Now, think about UX: if a product overloads users with too much information at once, the experience feels chaotic and overwhelming. But if navigation is well-structured, allowing natural pauses and transitions, the flow feels much smoother.

And if there’s a master of visual rhythm, it’s Frank Miller. Both in Batman: Year One and his Daredevil run, he masterfully balances fast-paced action with moments of stillness. He knows when to immerse the reader in action and when to give space for reflection. This is exactly what UX designers need to do: decide when to present information upfront and when to allow users to explore freely.

UX and the Timing of Information

A common mistake in digital products is overwhelming users with too much information upfront, without structuring it naturally. Think about app onboarding: if a product bombards users with instructions right at the start, they feel lost. But if it gradually introduces features as needed, the experience becomes much more pleasant.

The same happens in comics. If a speech bubble is placed incorrectly, it disrupts the flow of the scene. If a panel is poorly arranged, it confuses the reading order. In UX, these issues show up in cluttered layouts, confusing visual hierarchies, and illogical navigation flows.

For a bad UX example, look at Amazon Prime Video. The interface is a mess. The menus are all over the place, navigation is clunky, and information is scattered, making it hard to find what you need. It’s like reading a comic where the panels are randomly placed—you get lost, and the experience becomes frustrating.

For a good UX example, check out Apple Music. The interface is clean, structured, and allows for fluid navigation. It presents information at the right time without overwhelming the user. The same applies to Medium, which uses well-thought-out spacing and hierarchy to create a pleasant reading experience.

Conclusion: Decoupage in UX

Whether in comics or UX, the way we structure visual elements determines whether the experience is engaging or frustrating. A well-designed product isn’t one that throws all information at the user at once—it’s one that understands the rhythm of the experience and guides the user naturally.