1. Gestalt Principles of Design
Gestalt is a German term which means "unified whole” or “the sum is greater than the parts." It refers to theories of visual perception developed by German psychologists in the beginning of the twentieth century. These theories attempt to describe how people tend to organize visual elements into groups or unified wholes when certain principles are applied.
I’ve seen dates for 1890 and 1920s. We look at all pieces of a document as a whole, and then break it apart to find out how Gestalt theory works.

2. Similarity
The principle of similarity states that things which share visual characteristics such as shape, size, color, texture, value or orientation will be seen as belonging together.
Similarity is often used in advertising, and can work in videos as well as print ads.
You can emphasize things using the principle of similarity by making an object dissimilar, this is called an anomaly.
Similarity works for documents as well as for images. When our eyes see the words together, we know they belong together. If it is a paper with paragraphs, we know the paragraphs belong together, just by looking at them.
What are the similarities in this picture? How many different pieces form the whole? How does this unity occur?
What is emphasized in this image? Why?

3. Continuity
The principle of continuity predicts the preference for continuous figures. Continuity is affected by similarity and proximity.
Even without the added gray lines in the image to the left, our eyes would naturally create the continuation of the lines the dots create. Using lines like this creates a sort of movement in the visual.
Continuation occurs in the example to the right, because our eyes naturally follow a line or curve. The smooth flowing crossbar of the "H" leads the eye directly to the maple leaf.
Most pictures taken from here, as well as some words. Also from here:
Our eyes are drawn to lines, and when images are placed close to each other or form a line for our eyes to follow, continuity is achieved.

4. Proximity How does this image use the Gestalt principle of proximity?
The principle of proximity states that things which are closer together will be seen as belonging together.
If we see shapes or words or similar things close to each other, we assume they belong together. This can be seen in documents as headers, bullet points, or descriptive words.
How does this image use the Gestalt principle of proximity?
The squares on the left are seen as separate entities, yet the ones on the right are seen as a unified whole because of their proximity to one another.

5. Closure
How do these three pictures use the Gestalt principle of closure?
The principle of closure encompasses objects that are incomplete or that have a space that is not completely enclosed. If enough of the shape is indicated, people perceive the whole by filling in the missing information.
When the viewer’s perception of an image completes the shape, closure occurs.
Closure is often used in letters and resumes, any lines that are not closed, but we see them as closed, are considered closure.

6. Figure-Ground
The principle of figure-ground is the theory that the eye differentiates an object from its surrounding area. A form, silhouette, or shape is naturally perceived as figure (object), while the surrounding area is perceived as ground (background).
Balancing figure and ground can make the perceived image more clear. Using unusual figure/ground relationships can add interest and subtlety to an image. How do the figure and ground in this image change with your perceptions of the image to the right? What other principles are at work in these two images?
Whenever we see an image, our minds automatically place them in these two categories. One is the figure, one is the ground. Sometimes, the figure and ground trade places, depending on how you are viewing the picture.

7. Symmetry
The principle of symmetry captures the idea that when we perceive objects we tend to perceive them as symmetrical shapes that form around their center, even if they are not close to each other. Most objects can be divided in two more or less symmetrical halves and when for example we see two unconnected elements that are symmetrical, we unconsciously integrate them into one coherent object. The more alike objects are, they more they tend to be grouped.
This principle says that we can see images and shapes and know what they are without needing to have their orientation a certain way. No matter how the shape is flipped or rotated, we know what it is.
When we see shapes, our minds recognize them, even if they are not in the natural shape we expect them to be in.

8. Symmetry
Balance, unity, simplicity, beauty, boredom and harmony are also often used when defining or describing the experience of symmetry.
A clear, intelligible path through the visual design (or conceptual structure of information).
This principle says that we can see images and shapes and know what they are without needing to have their orientation a certain way. No matter how the shape is flipped or rotated, we know what it is.

9. Document Design Gestalt Theory Documents
These principles can be used in any medium. They are not only used as a tool for visual designers, but for many different documents.
Uses for Gestalt
resumes
posters
essays
theses
web pages
manuals
text books
magazine covers
photographs
instruction sets
Gestalt Theory Documents
Remember that these principles are in use with every document you create.