Gestalt Theory
“Gestalt is a psychology term which means "unified
whole". It refers to theories of visual perception… These theories attempt to describe how people
tend to organize visual elements into groups or unified wholes when certain principles are applied” (Gestalt
principles). There are six Gestalt laws in total that focus on how people
perceive different forms and shapes in an environment. These laws are:
- Law of Similarity
- Law of Proximity
- Law of Symmetry
- Law of Continuity
- Law of Figure ground
- Law of Closure
Law of Similarity:
Gestalt
law of similarity states that our minds group certain elements together if they
are similar in some way. Our minds group
objects together by color and shape.
The first picture is an example of
color similarity. Even though there are two different shapes in the picture,
your mind still groups the like colors together. The next picture is an example of grouping by similarity of
shape. Every shape in the picture is the same color, but your mind reads it as
if the circles are a part of the same group, and the squares were part of another
group.
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| Shape similarity |
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| Color Similarity |
Law of Proximity:
The law of proximity states that we
identify objects that are close to each other as being part of a group. This
law can be applied to anything in a space, like furniture arrangements, picture
frames, or windows. The next image is a great example of proximity. The circles
on the left appear as though they are forming vertical columns, while the circles
on the right are grouped together in horizontal rows. Your mind groups these
circles together because they are in close proximity to each other.
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| Law of Proximity
Law of Symmetry:
The law of symmetry states that things
that are symmetrical to each other tend to be perceived as a unified whole. The
following picture is of a symmetrical furniture arrangement. How do you know
that each piece of furniture is a part of furniture grouping as a whole?
You know because it is symmetrical, and every item is within close proximity to each
other.
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| Law of Symmetry
Law of
Continuity:
Gestalt law of continuity states that two
points that are connected by straight or curved lines signify a pathway. This
law is seen in anything from a curved staircase, to a pattern/pathway on the
floor or ceiling. Our eyes are drawn to this pathway and follow it to wherever
it leads. The first picture is the view of Carnegie Hall from the stage. The shape of the balcony is unique and draws your eyes from side to side and along the path. The second picture is of a staircase. Imagine walking into this space
for the first time. Immediately your eyes are drawn upward and follow the
pathway to the top of the stairs.
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| Picture taken by me |
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| Law of Continuity
Law of Figure
Ground:
I’m sure you have probably seen this
optical illusion before, but I’m guessing that you had no idea that this is an
example of the law of figure ground. This theory suggests that something is
always “the object” and the rest is the “background”. This law goes farther
than optical illusions. It can be found anywhere as long as you know where to
look. Below is another less obvious example of figure ground. It shows two
elephants forming a coke bottle with their trunks.
 
Law of closure:
The law of closure states that our
brain fills the gaps in objects and perceives it as a whole. The following
sketch is of a panda. The first thing you notice about the picture is probably
the panda, and not the fact that it’s incomplete. Well that’s because your
brain has filled the gaps and allowed you to identify it as a whole. Our brains
do this all the time without us noticing.
Now that you know about the six
Gestalt laws, do you think you can catch when your brain “completes” something
for you?
Source:
(n.d.).
Retrieved from
http://graphicdesign.spokanefalls.edu/tutorials/process/gestaltprinciples/gestaltprinc.htm
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