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Looker Studio UX & Layout Strategy Guidebook

🎯 Purpose

This guidebook covers dashboard layout and UX best practices in Looker Studio. It focuses on layout grids, visual hierarchy, card prioritization, mobile responsiveness, and cognitive load reduction.

🧱 1. Grid-Based Layout Design

Layout Rule Why It Matters
Use consistent columns (e.g., 2, 3, or 4 even-width blocks) Avoids jagged layout and increases readability
Align charts vertically by type Easier for users to scan trends, then breakdowns
Avoid floating components Anchored layouts guide user flow 
[ Row 1: KPIs (Scorecards) ]
[ Row 2: Time Trends (Line/Bar) ]
[ Row 3: Breakdowns (Bar, Table, Pie) ]
[ Row 4: Filters + Drilldowns ]

🧭 2. Information Hierarchy

Position Content
Top Left Primary KPI (most important)
Top Row Supporting metrics, high-level trendline
Middle Behavioral comparisons or grouped visuals
Bottom Raw tables, explanatory footnotes, filters

✔️ Apply F-shaped or Z-pattern visual flow when in doubt

🎯 3. KPI Placement Strategy

  • Use scorecards with change vs previous period (% change) for emphasis
  • Color-code performance (green = up, red = down) sparingly
  • Include last updated timestamp at top or footer
KPI block example:
[ Revenue: $120k ] [+6% MoM]
[ Active Users: 1.2k ] [+2.3% vs last week]

🖼️ 4. Visual Cleanliness Guidelines

Element UX Best Practice
Axis titles Always included, clear labels
Legends Use only when colors repeat or aren’t self-explanatory
Chart borders Avoid unless needed to separate dense visuals
Background Use white or light gray, never gradients

✔️ Remove chart clutter — prioritize white space and cognitive breathing room

📱 5. Responsive / Mobile Dashboarding

  • Keep card widths to minimum unit size (avoid horizontal scroll)
  • Stack filters vertically on mobile; hide if they clutter
  • Test dashboard preview in "fit to width" and device modes
  • Use toggleable report pages (tabs) to reduce single-page clutter

✅ UX Checklist

  • [ ] KPIs clearly visible at the top
  • [ ] Consistent visual grid used (rows, alignment)
  • [ ] Font, color, and spacing are standardized
  • [ ] Tables and filters placed at the bottom or in appendix tabs
  • [ ] Dashboard previewed in narrow (mobile) and wide modes

💡 Tip

“If a stakeholder can’t find the answer in 10 seconds — it’s a layout issue, not a data issue.”