When figures create a pattern, we more easily understand and interpret them. In the example below, you can see the same data proposed in two different orders. The order on the left creates no clear patter, so your brain struggles …
Tip #34: Gestalt—Uniform connectedness
When objects are physically connected or are enclosed in a shape, we perceive them as being in a group. All of these must seem so obvious, but look at the examples below. You can see that logically there is nothing …
Tip #33: Gestalt—Proximity
When objects are closer together, we automatically perceive them as being in a group. Again, that sounds obvious, but it’s pretty interesting how it works. For example, proximity actually often trumps similarity. In the lefthand example below, you see a …
Tip #32: Gestalt—Similarity
When objects look like each other, people perceive them as having a meaningful connection. I.e. if things look the same, people interpret them as being in a group together. This might seem like… duh. But in all reality, when you …
Tip #31: Gestalt—Figure ground relationships
The first key to Gestalt is the idea of figure and ground. Basically, we naturally separate objects from their surrounding area, drawing lines around the object (figure) to distinguish it from the ground (background). This is even the case with …
