Visual Perception
Gestalt Theory of Visual Perception
(Gestalt means “organised whole”) e.g. describing a tree - it’s parts are trunk, branches, leaves, perhaps blossoms or fruit.
But when you look at an entire tree, you are not conscious of the parts, you are aware of the overall object - the tree. Parts are of secondary importance even though they can be clearly seen.
Six Principles of Gestalt Perception
Principle 1 - Proximity
The principle of proximity or contiguity states that things which are closer together will be seen as belonging together.
Principle 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.
Principle 3 - Common Fate
Suppose both principles of proximity and similarity are in place - then a movement takes place - the dots begin to move down the page.
Principle 4 - Good Continuation
The principle of continuity predicts the preference for continuous figures. We perceive the figure as two crossed lines instead of 4 lines meeting at the centre.
Principle 5 - Closure Related to principle of good continuation, there is a tendency to close simple figures, independent of continuity or similarity. This results in a effect of filling in missing information or organising information which is present to make a whole
Principle 6 - Area and Symmetry
The principle of area states that the smaller of two overlapping figures is perceived as figure while the larger is regarded as ground.
The principle of the symmetrical figure is that it is seen as a closed figure. Symmetrical contours thus define a figure and isolate it from its ground.
Figure-Ground Perception
Definition:
Elements are perceived as either figures (distinct elements of focus)
or ground (the background or landscape on which the figures rest).
Three Distinct Types: - Simple Figure Ground - Figure Ground Reversal - Figure Ground Ambiguity
- Simple Figure Ground
- Figure Ground Reversal
- Figure Ground Ambiguity
MC Escher’s Sky and Water I, 1938
Using Figure Ground in Design