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.
Similarity
The 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.
Similarity is often used in
You can emphasize
advertising,
things using and
the can work in
videos
as ofwell
as print ads. What are the similarities in this picture? How
principle
similarity
by making an object
dissimilar, this is called
an anomaly.
many different pieces form the whole? How does
this unity occur?
What is emphasized in this image? Why?
Continuity
The 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.
Proximity
The principle of proximity states that things which are closer together will be seen as
belonging together.
How does this image use the
Gestalt principle of
The squares on the
left are seen as separate entities, yet the ones on
proximity?
the right are seen as a unified whole because of their proximity to
one another.
Closure
principle
closureuse
encompasses
objects
that are
How doThe
these
three of
pictures
the Gestalt
principle
ofincomplete
closure? 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.
When the viewer’s
perception of an image
completes the shape,
closure occurs.
Figure-Ground
The 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?
Symmetry
The 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 Design
These 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