Gestalt Principles

of Design

#1: Figure-Ground

Figure-Ground example

#2: Similarity

Similarity example

#3: Proximity

Proximity example

#4: Common Region

Common Region example

#5: Continuity

Continuity example

#6: Closure

Closure example

#6: Focal Point

Focal Point example

Gestalt Principles of Design

1. Figure-Ground: first instinct of people to identify which is the foreground vs the background
2. Similarity: people perceive grouping when they are similar
3. Proximity: people perceive grouping when they are close to each other
4. Common Region: people perceived grouping when they are within the same closed region
5. Continuity: elements arranged in a line or curve are perceived to be related to each other
6. Closure: people look for a single recognizable pattern when viewing a complex arrangement of visual elements
7. Focal Point: whatever stands out visually will capture and hold people’s attention first