The Whole Is Different than the Sum of It’s Parts Gestalt Theory in Art

by Cyn Rene' Whitfield

Gestalt psychology is the overall patterns of thoughts or experience of the human mind and behavior as a whole. It is a German word that roughly translates as "whole" or "form." In art, Gestalt is a general description for the visual perception and the psychology that make unity and variety possible in design and the relationship between the parts and the whole of a composition.

“The visual world is so complex that the mind has developed strategies for coping with the confusion. The mind tries to find the simplest solution to a problem. One of the ways it does this is to form groups of items that have certain characteristics in common,” according to 2D Design Notes.

Gestalt psychologists developed five laws that govern human perception and are considered by artists:

1. Law of Proximity -Elements that are closer together will be perceived as a coherent object. This is commonly seen in web design where the visual hierarchy of elements on the screen provides the grouping of related objects.

2. Law of Similarity - Elements that look similar will be perceived as part of the same form. We tend to group similar shapes together as a coherent object and then attach some kind of meaning to the result.

3. Law of Good Continuation - Humans tend to continue contours whenever the elements of the pattern establish an implied direction.

4. Law of Closure -Humans tend to enclose a space by completing a contour and ignoring gaps in the figure. Gestalt theory seeks completeness. With shapes that aren't closed, our mind will "fill in the gaps".

5. Law of Figure/Ground - A stimulus will be perceived as separate from it's ground. This effect is often seen in logo design where negative space is used to convey meaning.

In graphic design, as I studied it attaining my Electronic Imaging Degree from Metropolitan Community College, it is very important to know gestalt theory because it allows us to predict how viewers respond to design. It not only assures that our intention will be understood correctly by the audience, but it also helps us to create a dynamic design.

References

Kosslyn, S. M., & Rosenberg, R. S. (2007). Fundamentals of Psychology in Context (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson.

2D Design Notes Art 104 Design and Composition Retrieved December 1, 2009 from http://daphne.palomar.edu/design/gestalt.html

Gestalt Design Laws Retrieved December 1, 2009 from http://www.squidoo.com/gestaltlaws