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Humans respond to visual elements that create a flow, whether it be a straight line or a winding maze. The whole purpose of effective design elements is to lead customers to the desired action, and continuity in Gestalt theory design represents maintaining a continuous path for others to follow. The same concept applies to the use of similar shapes and sizes amongst objects. So, if the layout of a retail store uses blue-colored banners to advertise a big discount on clothing, it might be a good idea to place blue clothing articles (denim, dress shirts, socks) under that banner to leverage the laws of proximity and similarity to their advantage. SimilarityĪlong with proximity in Gestalt Principles, similarity means that the human mind likes to establish connections between "similar" design elements within the whole. On the other hand, if certain items weren't within proximity of each other and everything was laid out in one big list, you might have a hard time understanding what your choices are or what you should even order! 2. This is why you often see restaurant menu items within their own brackets or groupings because the individual items belong to an overall set category, like breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The law of proximity within Gestalt theory design means that simple elements are arranged together to create something more complex. Once again, designers who craft websites serve as a good example of those who put this theory into practice because they follow an intricate system that leverages each aspect of Gestalt theory design to their advantage.īelow are the five Gestalt Principles that make up the overall theory of design-each of these elements are concepts that you interact with on a daily basis as a consumer. Whenever you perceive an object, your mind combines similar elements and patterns to simplify that object into something you can easily understand.įor instance, the mind has the ability to find "order within disorder," so basically, Gestalt Principles refer to a set form of practices that the mind uses to comprehend individual elements and relate them to their whole structure. What Are the Gestalt Principles of Design? In the same way that a beautiful photo tugs at your heartstrings or a certain room in your home makes you feel warm and cozy, Gestalt Principles play an important role in the theory of design, and these factors are much easier to understand than you think. You may not be aware of it upfront, but certain design elements and their layout systematically engage with your mind in a way that's aesthetically pleasing to it. What about reading this blog post now? Did you scan the title of the post, then immediately jump to the second or third heading and scan the body of each section for a moment before deciding to read at the beginning? Have you ever visited a website online, and instantly, your eyes were drawn to a particular image or video on the site that hooked your attention?