1. GROUPING AND VISUAL RELATIONSHIPS Principle of Proximity

2. Gestalt  The Gestalt effect refers to the form-forming capability of our senses, particularly with respect to the visual recognition of figures and whole forms instead of just a collection of simple lines and curves.  “The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.”  Text and images from Wikipedia.org

3. Gestalt Theory  Law of Closure — The mind may experience elements it does not perceive through sensation, in order to complete a regular figure (that is, to increase regularity).  Law of Similarity — The mind groups similar elements into collective entities or totalities. This similarity might depend on relationships of form, color, size, or brightness.  Law of Proximity — Spatial or temporal proximity of elements may induce the mind to perceive a collective or totality.  Law of Symmetry (Figure ground relationships)— Symmetrical images are perceived collectively, even in spite of distance.  Law of Continuity — The mind continues visual, auditory, and kinetic patterns.  Law of Common Fate — Elements with the same moving direction are perceived as a collective or unit.

4. Law of Closure Your brain wants to complete the lines to form shapes.

5. Law of Similarity You associate the similarly colored circles.

6. Law of Proximity Do you see the groups?

7. Principle of Proximity  Proximity: closeness; the state of being near  Principle of Proximity: Based on gestalt psychology Law of Proximity  Items that are placed near each other are perceived as belonging together

8. Try it  Open the Proximity Exercise file in the T: drive.  Move the provided shapes around to make their grouping indicate:  They have nothing to do with each other.  They all belong together.  Three of them do not belong to the group. Exercise from Design Basics Index by Jim Krause.

9. Slightly harder  Arrange the objects to indicate:  Unity  Celebration  Isolation  Escape  Intimidation  Logic  Anarchy  Each time you think you found a solution, compare it with your neighbor’s solution. Are they the same?

10. If you can communicate these ideas just using dots, what can you do with text, images, lines, color?