In perception, there are two key structures involved, difference and discernment.
Discernment and Gestalt pschology
Adjacent objects are generally perceived and processed as a group and considered to have a like meaning. Objects which share similar attributes – size, colour, shape, direction – are also perceptually grouped together.
Grouping objects to create contextual relationships and create implied alignments helps a designer to guide the viewer’s eye through the content.
These principles of perception are explored in the theories of Gestalt psychology, that examine ‘the essence or shape of form’. The phrase ‘The whole is greater than the sum of the parts’ is often used when explaining Gestalt theory.
Fundamental to Gestalt are the laws of Pragnanz, which state that we tend to order things in a manner that is regular, ordered and symmetric;
- Principle of closure – the viewer infers elements in order to complete a regular figure
- Principle of similarity – the viewer groups similar elements together
- Principle of proximity – spatial proximity induces the viewer to perceive a group
- Principle of symmetry – symmetrical images are perceived by the viewer as a group even if separated by distance
- Principle of continuity – The viewer infers continuing patterns
- Principle of common fate – Elements with the same direction are perceived by the viewer as a group
Gestalt psychology is frequently used in user interface design, for example where text fields and buttons are placed with reference to the laws of similarity and proximity.
Designing familiarity in to layouts through consistent placement of similar types of content creates a rhythm and flow in your designs that allow the viewer to process information quickly and efficiently.
