Gestalt Principles Research Paper

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Flowers: A Study of the Gestalt Principles of Design
Jules Hayward
Centennial College
GMD 199: Creativity In Context
Prof. Grace Marquez
November 2022
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History
The Gestalt (German for “shape” or “figure”) Principles were theories proposed by the
German psychologists Dr. Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka, and Wolfgang Kohler in the 1920s
as a way to explain how we visually assemble individual objects into groups.
An easier way of saying this would be this: “the whole is different from the sum of its parts”
(Wertheimer). Gestalt Principles are a framework for describing visual perception and are
most often used when designing charts and graphs and reporting on them. They are also
helpful for guidelines in graphic design and UI (user interface).
During their research, our three psychologists learned that human vision is holistic, or wired,
to see shapes rather than lines and points. They also learned that there are several tendencies
with human perception: we tend to perceive things as belonging together when they look
alike, we tend to see a group with objects placed close together, we tend to see linear
connections, and we tend to see entities as associating with each other when they enclosed in
a shared space. The five most important principles are similarity, continuation, closure,
proximity, and figure/ground. Now there are other principles including symmetry and
common fate, but today we will only look at the original first five.
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Continuity
With the first principle of Continuity, in order to avoid abrupt interruptions, we tend to see
lines as parts of continuous movement. The best way to achieve this is by forming straight or
curved lines in the simplest way possible. Intersecting two or more objects causes the viewer
to see each object as a single uninterrupted object because the human eye tends to follow
lines, curves, and intersections. Using flowers as a specific example, take two rosebuds and
position them so that the stem of one crosses over the other.
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Closure
Next, we have the principle of Closure. It states that we tend to “fill in the blanks” to see
what is missing. If we see two-thirds of a picture, our brains will “see” the rest. For instance,
a white triangle that does not have corners will still look like a triangle as long as you have
three other dark shapes behind the corners. The mind tries to ignore the gaps to complete the
design. To use flowers as an example, consider the shape of a white flower on a black
background.
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Proximity
The principle of Proximity states that the closer multiple objects are together, the more likely
we are to see them as a group or design. That is because we tend to group things that are
close together. Closer spacing reduces visual clutter, while farther spacing confuses the
viewer. For example, a single group of 7 dots total will be perceived as two groups of 3 and 4
if there is a blank space between the two piles. With flowers, as an example, you could place
different kinds of similar flowers together to create the outline of a watering can. The
proximity of the flowers that arepositioned in certain ways brings a larger object to life.
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Similarity
The principle of Similarity means that objects that look similar tend to be grouped by our
minds regardless of proximity. For example, imagine two rows of small squares alternated
with two rows of large squares. These are now automatically seen as two separate groups
because of the traits the two “groups” share. Symmetry is usually preferred, but asymmetry
(especially in graphic design) can help to create a more natural feel. Using our flower theme,
we can show this by placing two flowers with large centres near three flowers with small
centers. An interesting optical illusion is that the center of the daisy looks larger beside the
sunflower when those circles are the same size!

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Figure/Ground
With the principle of figure and ground, our minds instinctively perceive objects as belonging
to either the foreground or the background. Figure and ground, or foreground and
background, can also be called positive and negative spaces. The foreground is whatever we
perceive as the most important, while the background is whatever is behind it. This sort of
perception could be a leftover from our ancestor's hunting days when we would have to spot
hidden prey in the foliage or mountainsides. Another example would be a small blue triangle
(foreground) in front of a large orange circle (background). Objects in the figure/ground
positioning can also be interchangeable. There should always be clear differences between
the two, such as letters on a page. Or, using flowers as an example again, place the white
silhouette of a bee on the black shape of the flower.

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Conclusion
These five principles should always be examined together. “They are not separate laws unto
themselves but rather must work together” (Weisserman). They are only guiding principles,
not laws to be followed at all costs. Finally, an object should be perceived by the full context
or field in which it exists rather than focusing purely on small details.
References
Wong, B. (2010). Gestalt principles (Part 1). Nature Methods, 7(11), 863.
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A241414416/AONE?u=ko_acd_cec&sid=bookmark-A
ONE&xid=522ce662
Johnson, J. (2010). Designing with the mind in mind : simple guide to understanding user
interface design rules (1st edition). Morgan Kaufmann Publishers.
https://librarysearch.centennialcollege.ca/permalink/01OCLS_CENTENN/1q825co/al
ma991000924522407309
Phillips, J. C., & Phillips, J. C. (2014). Graphic design : The new basics : revised second
edition. Princeton Architectural Press.
https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.centennial.idm.oclc.org/lib/centennial-ebooks/detai
l.action?docID=4518455
Zakia, R. D. (2013). Perception and imaging : photography--a way of seeing (4th ed.). Focal
Press. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780240824680

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1

Flowers: A Study of the Gestalt Principles of Design

GMD 199: Creativity In Context

Prof. Grace Marquez

as a way to explain how we visually assemble individual objects into groups.

helpful for guidelines in graphic design and UI (user interface).

sunflower when those circles are the same size!

(foreground) in front of a large orange circle (background). Objects in the figure/ground

silhouette of a bee on the black shape of the flower.

or field in which it exists rather than focusing purely on small details.

interface design rules (1st edition). Morgan Kaufmann Publishers.

edition. Princeton Architectural Press.

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