The Sense of Order Add one top-to-bottom straight line Add 12 dots inside big rectangle Add a pair of symmetrical curves Cap the Curves and Add 1 left-to-right straight line Universal Response Gestalt Theory of Perception Visual and Verbal Thinking Look at the chart below and say the COLOR of the word, not the word itself YELLOW BLUE ORANGE BLACK RED GREEN PURPLE YELLOW RED ORANGE GREEN BLACK BLUE RED PURPLE GREEN BLUE ORANGE Grouping A search for pattern Similarity Proximity Continuity These perceptual tendencies lead us to see the relationships among the graphic elements of a composition and see it as a more comprehensible whole Distance override shape Colour override distance Grouping The principle of grouping helps promote the coexistence of unity, variety and visual richness in a drawing Closure A search for stability Closure is the tendency for an open or discontinuous figure to be seen as a closed or complete and stable shape Under this principle, viewer will mentally complete interrupted lines and fill in discontinuous shapes in a drawing. Closure We can use this property of perception to suggest shapes without actually drawing them. This can lead to a more economical use of line and greater efficiency in drawing Projection A search for meaning Our mind constantly searches for meaning in what we see. In its search for meaning, the mind imagines and projects familiar images onto shape patterns until it finds a match that makes sense. Once seen and understood, it is difficult not to see the image. Razzle Dazzle painting Adapted from: Photo Credit: Carsspyphotos.com Projection: WHY IT MATTERS? The manner in which the mind assigns meaning to what it encounters is often unpredictable. We must therefore be aware that others may see something other than what we intend or expect them to see in our drawings Manifestation of Gestalt in Different Design Fields Visual Perception of Form Silhouette Edges Activity Straight Lines Composition