Before&After: Gestalt Theory: Similarity

Early last century, psychologists in Austria and Germany developed a school of psychology called Gestalt, which attempts to explain human behavior in terms of pattern seeking. Gestalt theory explains how the eye organizes visual experiences and how the brain interprets them. In a visual field, our eyes can easily pick out and group objects that are similar, regardless of their proximity. Elements of similar shape, color, or other attribute can seem to belong together just because they look alike. This 7-page article from issue 52 of Before&After Magazine teaches you to use Gestalt theory and leverage similar shapes, colors, or other attributes in your designs.

Similar shapes can be used to connect objects. The more alike the shapes are, the stronger the connection.

© John McWade/Before&After Magazine, courtesy of Gaye Anne McWade.