Unity Gestalt Ways to Achieve Unity Unity with Variety Visual perception Ways to Achieve Unity Proximity Repetition Continuation Continuity Unity with Variety The grid Varied repetition Emphasis on unity Emphasis on variety Chaos versus control

Harmony Harmony1 : Presentation of an integrated image If the elements in an image look like they “belong together”, then the image is said to be harmonious Harmony may come from: representational imagery abstract forms

Gestalt The study of how humans organize perceptual stimuli Gestalt psychology The study of how humans organize perceptual stimuli The process of making wholes out of parts “A design’s unity is more that the simple addition of its parts.”

“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts”

Gestalt Principles positive space / negative space Figure / Ground positive space / negative space foreground / background Completion (closure) Continuation Similarity Proximity

Space Space is undefined until it is activated by the placement of an object Placing an element in a space creates a figure/ground relationship

Space is not yet defined

Space is activated

Figure & Ground Figure: What is in our field of perceptual awareness Psychology: Figure Art and Photography: Positive space Engineering: Signal Ground: That which serves as the surrounding context Psychology: Ground Art and Photography: Negative space Engineering: noise

Types of Figure/Ground Relationships Stable Reversible (gestalt switch) Ambiguous

Types of Figure/Ground: Stable A: Centering a figure neutralizes negative space; B: placing the figure off center activates negative space; C: Bleeding the figure makes it more dynamic A B C A: Centering a figure neutralizes negative space B: Placing the figure off center activates negative space; C: Bleeding the figure makes it more dynamic

Types of Figure/Ground: Reversible A: A lot of space with a tiny figure; B: A huge figure sitting in a small space; C: The figure and space are in size and shape equilibrium…neither is “in front”

Types of Figure/Ground: Ambiguous What is the figure? What is the ground? What is the figure? What is the ground?

The interval allows the viewer to complete the action. REM BER ERTH ISIFYO UPU TTH EINT ERV ALINTH EWRO NGPLA CEITC ANCA USEP ROB LE MS. The interval allows the viewer to complete the action. Remember this, if you put the interval in the wrong place, it can cause problems. The interval allows the viewer to complete the action.

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabridge Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in what oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoantnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is becuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

Most people will only see blank dots and lines Most people will only see blank dots and lines. They usually will need a hint (it is a farm animal  cow) Most people will only see blank dots and lines. They usually will need a hint (it is a farm animal  cow)

You can only see one figure at a time

Duck-Rabbit illusion.

http://jeffmilner.com/backmasking.htm

Closure Closure: spontaneous human behavior in which the brain completes an unfinished or unconnected shape Requires active participation by the viewer Closure succeeds when there is careful manipulation of the spaces between elements The interval is important in perceiving closure

Which image contains the most tension between the star and the square?

Continuation / Continuity Continuation: the arrangement of forms so they are “continuous” from one element to another, leading the eye across space. Usually a line, an edge, or a direction from one form to another. Visual elements that require the fewest number of interruptions will be grouped to form continuous straight or curved lines.

What do you see first? Seeing a pair of X’s would require the fewest interruptions or changes. One can also see other characters, such as V, W, or M. However, they are more difficult to see because they require more visual changes. It is easier to see the slanting lines as continuous than discontinuous. To see them as discontinuous, one has to visually tear the gestalt apart. What do you see first? Seeing a pair of X’s would require the fewest interruptions or changes. One can also see other characters, such as V, W, or M. However, they are more difficult to see because they require more visual changes. It is easier to see the slanting lines as continuous than discontinuous. To see them as discontinuous, one has to visually tear the gestalt apart.

“Nude, 1936” by Edward Weston. Image taken from Zakia, RD. (2007) “Nude, 1936” by Edward Weston. Image taken from Zakia, RD. (2007). Perception and imaging (pg. 51). Burlington, MA: Focal Press.

Similarity Similarity: Visual elements that share common characteristics. Types of Similarity shape, size, color, movement, tonality, direction, etc.

How many groups do you see How many groups do you see? How are the elements in the group(s) similar? You should see two distinct shapes. Grouping based on similarity is the key here.

Proximity Proximity: The closer two or more visual elements are, the greater the probability that they will be seen as a group or pattern. The smaller an area or space, the greater the probability that it will be seen as figure rather than ground. Contrast between foreground and background enhances the figure/ground relationship. - signal-to-noise ration

Figure The closer the radial lines, the smaller the enclosed area and therefore the greater the probability it will be seen as a figure. It is easier to see the smaller segments as figure against the larger segments as ground. Figure

Grouping of Elements No grouping. Without grouping of elements, the viewer has seven individuals elements to visually absorb. The format appears unorganized and the elements too complex.

Grouped elements. By grouping, the number of elements is reduced, which simplifies the composition and enhances the white space.

Grouping of similar elements Grouping of similar elements. Rectangle elements of a similar width can be grouped.

Grouping of dissimilar elements Grouping of dissimilar elements. Rectangle elements of different widths can be grouped.

Negative Space and Grouping A: No grouping. Complex negative spaces. In this ungrouped composition, there are at least 9 rectangles of negative space, as shown by the outlines. This makes the composition appear chaotic and visually uninviting. B: Grouped: Simple negative spaces. In this composition, there are six rectangles of negative space. The spaces are not only fewer in number, but also larger, and therefore, more visually pleasing.