Gestalt Principles of Design

Gestalt is a German term which means "unified whole” or “the sum is greater than the parts." It refers to theories of visual perception developed by German psychologists in the beginning of the twentieth century. These theories attempt to describe how people tend to organize visual elements into groups or unified wholes when certain principles are applied.

SimilarityThe principle of similarity states that things which share visual characteristics such as shape, size, color, texture, value or orientation will be seen as belonging together.

What are the similarities in this picture? How many different pieces form the whole? How does this unity occur?

You can emphasize things using the principle of similarity by making an object dissimilar, this is called an anomaly.

What is emphasized in this image? Why?

Similarity is often used in advertising, and can work in videos as well as print ads.

ContinuityThe principle of continuity predicts the preference for continuous figures. Continuity is affected by similarity and proximity.

Continuation occurs in the example to the right, because our eyes naturally follow a line or curve. The smooth flowing crossbar of the "H" leads the eye directly to the maple leaf.

Even without the added gray lines in the image to the left, our eyes would naturally create the continuation of the lines the dots create. Using lines like this creates a sort of movement in the visual.

ProximityThe principle of proximity states that things which are closer together will be seen as belonging together.

The squares on the left are seen as separate entities, yet the ones on the right are seen as a unified whole because of their proximity to one another.

How does this image use the Gestalt principle of proximity?

Closure

When the viewer’s perception of an image completes the shape,

closure occurs.

How do these three pictures use the Gestalt principle of closure?The principle of closure encompasses objects that are incomplete or that have a space that is not completely enclosed. If enough of the shape is indicated, people perceive the whole by filling in the missing information.

Figure-GroundThe principle of figure-ground is the theory that the eye differentiates an object from its surrounding area. A form, silhouette, or shape is naturally perceived as figure (object), while the surrounding area is perceived as ground (background).

Balancing figure and ground can make the perceived image more clear. Using unusual figure/ground relationships can add interest and subtlety to an image. How do the figure and ground in this image change with your perceptions of the image to the right? What other principles are at work in these two images?

SymmetryThe principle of symmetry captures the idea that when we perceive objects we tend to perceive them as symmetrical shapes that form around their center, even if they are not close to each other. Most objects can be divided in two more or less symmetrical halves and when for example we see two unconnected elements that are symmetrical, we unconsciously integrate them into one coherent object. The more alike objects are, they more they tend to be grouped.

When we see shapes, our minds recognize them, even if they are not in the natural shape we expect them to be in.

Symmetry

• Balance, unity, simplicity, beauty, boredom and harmony are also often used when defining or describing the experience of symmetry.

• A clear, intelligible path through the visual design (or conceptual structure of information).

Document DesignThese principles can be used in any medium. They are not only used as a tool for visual designers, but for many different documents.

Uses for Gestalt• resumes• posters• essays• theses• web pages• manuals• text books• magazine covers• photographs• instruction sets Ge

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