Drew Clemens Priority Guide UX Layout

This workshop applies the Drew Clemens priority guide UX layout method to structure website content by hierarchy before starting visual design.

5 time blocks, 70 minutes in total.

Time blocks

Define User Goal and Page Purpose: 10 min
Document core user needs and primary business objectives
Content Element Inventory: 15 min
List every copy block, image, CTA, and input required
Hierarchy and Order Assignment: 20 min
Arrange elements top to bottom strictly by user importance
Annotate Interactions and Links: 10 min
Detail functional requirements and navigation paths inline
Content Hierarchy Review: 15 min
Validate flow with stakeholders before moving to visual design

About this routine

The Drew Clemens priority guide UX layout approach emerged at Sparkbox as a content-first alternative to traditional wireframing. Instead of starting with boxes, grids, or visual layouts, designers write out page content in order of hierarchy. This prevents teams from debating layout details like column widths or element placement before agreeing on what actually belongs on the screen.

Priority guides work by placing every content element into a single vertical stack sorted strictly by user priority. You define what the user needs most at the top, followed by supporting details, calls to action, and secondary navigation below. This format enforces focus on copy, messaging clarity, and content hierarchy while remaining responsive and mobile-first by default.

By spending 70 minutes building a structured priority guide before opening design software, UX teams align stakeholders on message order and functional requirements. Once the text hierarchy is approved, moving into high-fidelity design becomes faster and produces clearer user experiences.

Why this routine works

Focuses team discussions on messaging and user goals instead of visual layout choices
Accelerates design sprints by securing stakeholder approval on content hierarchy first
Creates mobile-first responsive structures by default through single-column ordering

FAQ

What is a Drew Clemens priority guide in UX design?

A priority guide is a content-first wireframing method created by Drew Clemens. It replaces visual layout boxes with a structured vertical list of text, copy blocks, and callouts ordered strictly by user priority.

Why use priority guides instead of traditional wireframes?

Priority guides prevent early debates about visual styling, column counts, or layout placement. They keep the team focused on copy quality, messaging hierarchy, and user intent.

How long does a priority guide workshop take?

This workshop takes 70 minutes to complete from initial content inventory through hierarchy mapping and stakeholder review.

Sources

Priority Guides: A Content-First Alternative to Wireframes, Drew Clemens (Sparkbox)