Gestalt Laws

 

Gestalt laws describe regularities of human perception (but do not explain them!)

 

Proximity: objects that are close to each other tend to be seen as a group The image shows three dark squares, two white squares and two white rectangles that appear in two groups that are physically dislocated. 
        Make sure that objects that belong to the same context are viewed as a group  The picture shows groups of bars that are not separated by whitespace and thus indistinguishable The image shows groups of bars that are somewhat better separated by whitespace and thus distinguishable  The linked image shows an interface in which inadequate consideration of the Law of Proximity makes an interface hard to use.   The pictures shows trail directions that are misleading since words have been badly grouped The image shows directions that are not misleading due to bad word grouping

Similarity: objects of the same shape or color are seen as belonging together The image shows three dark squares, two white squares and two white rectangles that are all close together. The three different objects seem to form three different groups. The image shows a forms interface in which the Gestalt law of similarity is ued to group objects

Closure: Missing parts of an object are filled in to complete it, so that it appears as a whole The image shows a rectangle where part of the outline is missing. The image shows a tiger face whose lower right side is missing

Continuity: lines tend to be seen as continuous, even if they are interrupted The usual interpretation of this image is that it shows a rectangle that is intersected by another rectangle. The usual interpretation of this image is that it shows a rectangle that is intersected by another rectangle.  The image shows two technical drawings where certain objects are surrounded by a two rectangles and two circles, respectively. Due to the law of continuity, the circles are much more effective in grouping these objects. The linked image shows a slider in which the Gestalt law of continuity has been used  Link to video that shows change blindness

Symmetry: regions bounded by symmetrical borders tend to be perceived as coherent figures The image shows two "split" objects, one with symmetrical boarders and one without. The one with symmetrical boarders looks much more like an object than the other.  The image shows a tiger face with a vertical occlusion

Common fate: items appear as belonging together if, e.g., they move in sync  The image shows directions that are not misleading due to bad word grouping The pictures shows trail directions that are misleading since words have been badly grouped  Link to video that shows countries' development using animation that exploits the Gestalt law of common fate