Light & overlay: layering for depth

Light is not just illumination-it’s a design material. By stacking highlights, shadows, and translucent surfaces, you can build depth, pull objects forward, and glue scenes together. Even in flat styles, subtle light and overlay layers add atmosphere and hierarchy.

Think in layers: base color → soft global light → contact shadows → rim or fill accents. Use large, soft gradients to establish mood, then introduce small, sharp highlights to mark points of focus. Translucent elements (glass, smoke, UI blur) help connect foreground and background without clutter.

Overlay modes change the *relationship* between colors rather than repaint them. Multiply darkens and anchors, Screen adds glow and air, Overlay/Soft Light increases local contrast. Keep opacity low and build up gradually; one strong layer usually beats five noisy ones.

Finally, check the scene in grayscale to confirm that light guides the eye, not just color. When light, shadow, and transparency work together, the result feels dimensional and intentional-even in minimal compositions.