Gestalt Psychology in Design

Overview

• Gestalt Psychology: A psychological approach that suggests we perceive objects as whole forms rather than a collection of individual parts.
• Importance: Essential for designers to create complete and compelling visuals.

Key Figures

• Max Wertheimer
• Kurt Kafka
• Wolfgang Köhler

Gestalt Principles

1. Figure-Ground

   • Differentiating objects as either the focal point (figure) or the background.

2. Similarity

   • Grouping objects that have similar characteristics such as color, size, font, shape, and texture.

3. Proximity

   • Objects that are close to each other are perceived as a group.

4. Closure

   • The mind fills in gaps to create a whole object when parts are missing or incomplete.

5. Continuity

   • The perception of continuous lines or patterns, following alignment until interrupted.

6. Order

   • Alignment and symmetry are key to creating attractive designs.

Implications in Design

• Ignoring Gestalt principles can result in designs that appear out of place or incomplete.
• Good designs, which adhere to these principles, help reduce chaos and improve visual coherence.