Gestalt Principles of Visual Perception
Proximity
Closure
Figure Ground
Gestalt is a German word meaning shape or form, Gestalt principles group an array of elements into a whole that is
greater than the sum of its parts. Find some diagrams that illustrate concepts shown in the table and insert a copy
into the last column of the table.
 Refers to the differentiation we make between an
object and its surroundings
 the part of the image that gets our attention and
acts as the centre of focus is the figure and
everything else acts as the ground
 the separation of figure from ground
is achieved using a line of separation known as a
contour which we tend to believe as belonging to
the figure
 a reversible or ambiguous figure is one in which
the distinction between the figure and ground is
not clear cut
 Camouflage occurs when figure and ground are not
easily separated.
 refers to our tendency to mentally complete a
figure that is visually incomplete
 the principle of closure is often used in corporate
logos and cartoons
 refers to our tendency to perceive elements that
are near each other as belonging together – that is,
we group them into a whole
Similarity
 refers to our tendency to group the parts of the
particular visual stimulus that have similar
characteristics – colour or shape, for example –
into a whole