A technique for a visual search sets a transient mode on, gathers objects to form a pile of objects, wherein each object has a predefined portion visible, and determines whether a selector is over the predefined portion of an object in the pile of objects. Responsive to a determination that the selector is detected over the predefined portion of the object in the pile of objects, the object is presented in a foreground. It is determined whether the object in the foreground is selected to form a selected object. Responsive to a determination that the object in the foreground is selected to form a selected object, the pile of objects is restored to an original state with the selected object scrolled into view within the predefined display area.