figure/ground similarity proximity closure continuance translation rotation reflection glide/reflection dilation structured space symmetric balance asymmetric balance ambiguous balance neutral balance
FIGURE/GROUND
separating elements based on their contrast
SIMILARITY
similar objects/forms are viewed as a group
PROXIMITY
forms in close proximity (near one another) are viewed as groups and favored over parts farther away from one another
CLOSURE
our minds naturally tend to close gaps in forms, making them stable, whole images
visual guidance leading the eye to continue along a path
CONTINUANCE
TRANSLATION
sliding the same form to a new location, keeping the same orientation
ROTATION
turning forms around an axis or center
flipping a form exactly across an invisible line
REFLECTION
combination of reflection in a line and a translation along that line
GLIDE/REFLECTION
DILATION
the gradual and proportional enlarging of a form
STRUCTURE [ONE]
STRUCTURE [TWO]
STRUCTURE [THREE]
STRUCTURE [FOUR]
STRUCTURE [FIVE]
STRUCTURE [SIX]
SYMMETRICAL BALANCE
centered compositions or those with equal balance and mirror images
ASYMMETRICAL BALANCE
balanced compostion that has equal weight on each side, but not identical forms on each side
AMBIGUOUS BALANCE
it is not immediately clear whether the composition is balanced on both sides
balance is reached by arbitrary placement of forms
NEUTRAL BALANCE
Š tessa canon, 2012 completed as a requirement for visual communication in the graphic design department at the kansas city art institute. michael kidwell, assistant professor.