What makes an effective design? Part of the answer can be found within the tenets of Gestalt psychology. Also known as gestaltism, the philosophy dictates that the human mind perceives a whole composition as something different than its individual elements. According to Kurt Koffka, one of the earliest Gestalt psychologists, “The whole is other than the sum of the parts.” The idea that a whole is perceived as different or more than the sum of its parts is commonly employed in design, even if the artist is consciously unaware of its use. The following eight design principles are derived from Gestalt theory. Read more at https://visme.co/blog/gestalt-design-principles/#u0V0s43LZvmlOBzd.99

1. HOW TO APPLY
TO YOUR DESIGNS FOR
MAXIMUM IMPACT

2. Before After
Simplicity
People will perceive and interpret
ambiguous or complex images as the
simplest forms possible.

3. Similarity
Based on Shape
Before After
Objects that look similar in shape, size
or color are perceived as being grouped
together or related.

4. Based on Size
Before After

5. Based on Color
Before After

6. Proximity
Before After
Elements that are placed closer together
are perceived as being more related than
those spaced further apart.

7. Closure
Before After
Our minds tend to fill in missing
information and ignore gaps to
create familiar shapes and images.

8. Figure and Ground
Before After
We tend to perceive an object either as the
element of focus in the foreground or as part
of the background. In the image below, do you
see two faces or a green vase?

9. Continuity
Before After
We perceive lines as part of a continuous movement in
order to minimize abrupt changes. In this composition, we
perceive two overlapping wavy lines instead of three
shapes linked together.

10. Order and Symmetry
Before After
Objects that are balanced and symmetrical
are seen as complete or whole.

11. Synchrony
Before After
Elements that move in the same direction are
perceived as more related than objects that
move in different directions.

12. Created With Visme
Source:
http://blog.visme.co/gestalt-
design-principles/