6 principles of the Gestalt theory

The study of Gestalt originated in Germany in the 1920s.It is a German word that translates as "whole" or "form". It is concerned with the relationship between the parts and the whole of a composition. The visual world is so complex that our mind have developed strategies for coping with confusion. Our minds try to find the simplest solution to a problem. One of the ways it does this is to form groups of items that have certain characteristics in common.

Gestalt is one of the most powerful tools available to a designer for creating unity.

Figure and ground:

Figure-ground is used to help designers in compositions.It refers to an ability to separate elements based upon contrast for example: dark and light, black and white.

The eye differentiates an object from its surrounding area. a form, silhouette, or shape is naturally perceived as figure, while the surrounding area is perceived as ground.

Balancing figure and ground can make the perceived image more clear.

Figure and ground is used in these earrings by using white and black patterns or shapes.the white shapes almost look like they are cut out of the black background.it could also be perceived as the black being placed on top of the white.either way it is a very good example of the Gestalt principle of figure and ground.

Continuity:

Continuity occurs when the eye is compelled to move through one object and continue to another object.

Continuity occurs in this image because the viewer's eye will naturally follow a line or curve. The crossbar of the "H" leads the eye directly to the maple leaf.

The principle of continuity is seen in these pieces of jewellery because it is designed in such a way that the eye follows the lines which lead you to the next element on the piece. 

Closure:

Closure occurs when an object is incomplete or a space is not completely enclosed. If enough of the shape is indicated, people perceive the whole by filling in the missing information.

Although the panda is not complete,there are enough shapes present for the eye to complete the rest of the pandas shape. When the viewer's perception completes a shape, closure occurs.

With this example we tend to ignore the gaps in the circle and our eyes complete the circle and we see a familiar image: a "sun" shape

In this necklace we can see the principle of closure because even though the cross is not a solid piece of silver our brains can perceive it as a cross.

Symmetry:

Symmetry is defined as the exact reflection of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane.

In both these paintings we can see that the dividing line runs straight through the middle of the page and both the patterns on each side of this imaginary line are exactly the same.

In these pieces of jewellery we can see the principle clearly.The imaginary line once again runs through the centre of the piece and the patterns on either side are identical.

 Proximity:

Proximity occurs when different elements are placed close together. Our eyes perceive them as a group.

we see the shape of a tree but it is actually made up of fifteen figures here we can see the principle proximity.

The dog in this picture is made up of different colour shapes and circles but or eyes group that and we see a dog.

In this piece of jewellery we can see that it is made up of a lot of different elements but we still perceive it as a necklace.The principle of proximity occurs here.

Similarity:

Similarity is the last Gestalt principle where parts that are similar or look alike tend to be perceived as belonging to the same unit or whole.

An example of this is the leaf it is made up of lots of little leaves that look similar but we perceive one big leaf.

In this picture our eyes perceive a cross made of squares and the areas around the cross are filled in with dots but our eyes see the big picture of a cross inside a square.Similarity is shown very well here.

This is a necklace made up of lots of little similar pieces of material (eg. wood or copper) but it is seen as a whole piece of jewellery a necklace.

Conclusion:

The Gestalt theory is a fascinating theory that i can definitely see applies to not only designers but to ordinary everyday people.Our brains have to see or understand something as a whole before they can really know what the shapes represent...AMAZING!