Journal 6 - Gestalt Theory

Similarity - This image (which is a CD cover design) shows the Gestalt Theory principle of similarity, which says that we naturally perceive similar objects as being in a group. In this image, the triangles in the background all are the same basic shape of a triangle, and because of this we perceive the colorful mass as one unified entity of a background instead of breaking them up and perceiving them individually in our minds. If there were circles and squares and triangles, we would not perceive it as one group and would get distracted by it.

This logo shows the Gestalt principle of closure. Even though the sheep is not fully drawn and enclosed, we picture the whole sheep. We do not even really notice that the sheep is not completely closed because our minds automatically assume that it is one entity.

This painting group shows the Gestalt principle of continuation. We perceive all these different painting pieces as one unit because the branches flow throughout the piece. Our eye follows the path of the branches, and because they continue onto the different panels we just see them as being one tree. This shows the Gestalt principle of continuation.

This drawing shows the Gestalt principle of common fate. The butterflies we imagine are all flying in the same direction we imagine as being one group - we do not make them distinct in our mind but take them in as a whole. However, any butterfly that is flying in a different direction - like the one in the lower righthand corner - we perceive and take in differently. We notice it because it is not heading in the same direction; it does not have the same common fate as butterflies flying together.

This poster design plays with the idea of figure ground. We're not really positive if the mouse is cut out of the chef's hat or vice versa, because the figure of the mouse is the same as the background. Or is the hat the background? The image plays with this idea of figure/ground.

This photo shows the Gestalt principle of proximity. Because the couple are standing right next to each other, we perceive them as one unit - a couple. However, if they were standing on opposite ends of this massive rock, the story we would perceive the image as having would be completely different.