Gestalt theory

Gestalt theory (notes)

Copy the contents of this document and make a new blog post called Gestalt Theory

Gestalt theory has as its central point the idea that our brains have become wired to process information in the quickest manner possible and to that end we see collections of things as groups before we recognize that the group contains parts.  We want things organized and simplified and to do that our brain constantly stores information that will allow it to make a connection to something else at another time.  This hardwired simplicity is known as Pragnanz.  This video explains the various parts of Gestalt theory and explains how they can be used to effectively communicate ideas to your viewer.   The five Gestalt principles are:  Similarity/Dissimilarity,  Continuation, Closure, Proximity and Figure/Ground.  View this video to see simplified examples of each Gestalt principle.  After you have watched both videos  I want you to google image search to find examples of your own and put them under the appropriate term next to my examples.  Under the examples you find I want you to read the blue questions I’ve written and explain what characteristics cause the gestalt principle you are attempting to illustrate?  My sample writings are in red below for you to reference as you attempt to write your own.

Similarity is the psychological effect that happens when your brain clusters things into a completed unified whole because the separate shapes/forms share certain common characteristics.  The group feels complete because they look like they were created with the same idea in mind.  

In this example the similar characteristic are the sharp angular shapes that form both the rays of the sun, but also the bottom feathers of the eagle head

In your example what are the similarities that create a unified whole?

Dissimilarity is the psychological effect that happens when your brain views a group of similar shapes/forms and attempts to create a pattern but the pattern is disrupted by one shape/form that is different (anomaly).  This creates a focal point (emphasis) in the work.  

In this example of dissimilarity there is a visual seemingly predictable pattern created by the shape of the paper dolls.  The last paper doll in the pattern is no longer stiff, but has curves which makes it look like it is jumping or dancing.  That dissimilar break in the pattern creates a strong focal point.

In your example what is the anomaly?  What pattern is broken?

Continuation/Continuity is the psychological effect that happens when elements are manipulated to force the viewer to travel through one shape/form toward another area or shape/form.  Usually created with strong linear elements or a row of visually similar shapes (implied line).  

In the example below the calligraphic line, meant to be the cross bar of the H, curves, goes from thick to thin and moves through the vertical pieces of the letter in diagonals seemingly pointing like an arrow to the leaf.

In your example what is the element that moves the viewer and where does that movement take you?

Closure is the psychological effect that happens when your brain attempts to connect the nearby edges of positive shapes in such a way that you perceive there to be a complete object where none exist.  This play between positive and negative is used all of the time in commercial applications, but one of the most famous examples of this type design is the international logo for the world wildlife federation (WWF)  

As you can see in this example, the way that the pointed shapes on his back and right front point to the ear and because of the bends on the bottom of the ears your brain desperately wants to “see” a back and head in the white space between the black shapes.

In your example describe details that are left incomplete for our brains to finish?

Proximity is the psychological effect that happens as a result of reducing the amount of space between shapes/forms.  The closeness of objects forces us to view them as a collection and treat them as a group rather than seeing them each as individuals.  A focal point can be created by removing a shape/form from a cluster and increasing the space between it and the rest of the shapes/forms that share a close proximity.  

In this example we perceive a stronger grouping the the shape of a triangle because of the close proximity (reduced space) of the circles to each other.  The group on the left has a weaker relationship and is not as easily identified as a group because of the greater space between the individual circles.

In your example how is the proximity (distance between) elements used to force us to group the individuals into a whole unit?

Figure/Ground is the psychological effect whereby the viewer is asked to shift attention between positive shapes (figure) and negative spaces (ground) that create an optical illusion of two differing understandings of the same piece.  It is usually a more complex approach and relies considerably between a near 50/50 balance between figure elements and ground.  

In this example the viewer is constantly forced to choose between looking at the white (ground) face or black (figure).  It is very difficult to concentrate on this as a whole.  The viewer constantly has to choose because of the near equal balance between the amount of figure and ground and because of the way those figure/ground elements interact with one another.

How has the figure/ground relationship in your example been used to create a recurring shifting from one part of the design to another?