Gestalt Theory Vocabulary

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Across
  1. 1. the relative size of all the elements in a compositional space in comparison to one another. Proportion is a key principle in creating balance, contrast, direction, and dominance. Symmetry, similarity, and proximity are Gestalt principles that often rely on proportion to be effective.
  2. 4. an abrupt shift in the appearance of the composition. Asymmetry relies on contrast, as can continuation and proximity.
  3. 5. the degree to which shapes, patterns, textures, etc. seem to move forward or backward in the compositional space. Figure-ground makes use of one shape seeming to exist in front of another.
  4. 6. the form of an object or its external boundary, outline, or external surface, as opposed to other properties such as color, texture, etc. Lines and planes are used to create shapes
  5. 8. humans group objects together that look similar. In design, this can be applied to typefaces, colors, text, and headline styles.
  6. 11. objects that are close to one another appear to form groups. Even if they are different sizes or shapes or even radically different in color, they will appear as a group if they are placed close together.
  7. 13. the mind supplies the missing pieces in a composition if there are enough of the significant features visible. Simple shapes require few clues while more complex ones may seem incomplete and forces the viewer to work harder to fill in the gap.
  8. 16. an implied sense of motion in an element of a composition. Continuation relies on direction to guide a viewer’s eye.
  9. 17. the quality of being made up of exactly similar parts facing each other or around anaxis. Symmetrical designs are balanced and easily understood by a viewer, but can be visually uninteresting. While asymmetrical designs can be awkward, they can also draw attention to themselves.
  10. 18. humans will find lines or contours and continue them beyond their ending points if the elements of the pattern establish an implied direction. In photography, a winding road that extends beyond the image is one example.
Down
  1. 2. an interwoven pattern of light and dark tones that imparts a physical quality to a surface—rough, smooth, etc.
  2. 3. the area in which all elements of a composition interact. This could be a sheet of paper, a canvas, a package, etc.
  3. 7. visual elements that repeat in a predictable manner. These can be made out of points, lines, or planes. Patterns can be applied to shapes (e.g. a plaid shirt), or exist on their own (e.g. wallpaper).
  4. 9. the moving force connecting the elements within a composition, creating a visual beat or tempo. The regular repetition of elements can create the look and feel of movement. It is often achieved through the careful placement of repeated components which encourage the viewer to jump rapidly or glide smoothly from one to the next. To be effective, continuation must establish a solid rhythm.
  5. 10. a fundamental concept in design, it refers to the contrast between black and white, foreground and background, dark and light and equilibrium. Adjusting the equilibrium can throw the figure-ground relationship off balance so the viewer is uncertain what they are viewing.
  6. 12. a distribution of one or more elements which visually equal each other. Similarity, symmetry, and continuation rely on balance to be effective.
  7. 14. the relationship among the elements in a compositional space that enables them to work together as a whole. The Gestalt principles are all about the effective manipulation of different visual elements to create a unified whole greater than the sum of its parts.
  8. 15. the ability of certain compositional elements to assume more importance than others in the same composition. Figure-ground makes use of dominance to enable the viewer to perceive the foreground object against the background.