Assignment #1 -- Gestalt Principles

1. Similarity

Similarity involves the idea of objects looking similar to one another and the ultimate perception of the objects' placement as a group or pattern. In this example, the white rubber tips of these Converse sneakers create the appearance of a circle when placed close together. Similarity leaves the viewer has the potential to eliminate unpredictability through the establishment of pattern and likeness.

Source: http://fancy.com/things/281621049/Converse-Chuck-Taylor-All-Stars

2. Continuation

Continuation is defined as the compelling of the human eye to move through one object and continue to another object. In this example, one's eye moves from the liquid in the Coke bottle to the leafy-green vines that continue out of the top of the bottle. The liquid is viewed as one object and the resulting raspberry vines has the other object.

Source: http://smashingspy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Raspberry-Coca-Cola_thumb.jpg

3. Closure

Closure is when a figure is completed due to items being grouped together. In this example, though the letters in the words are missing so-called "required" lines to complete the figure, the mind can still distinguish the letters as they are, and learn that the poster reads, "THE FUTURE IS UN-WRITTEN". I enjoyed this example because it was simple, yet stimulating.

Source: http://blkaesthetic.blogspot.com/

4. Proximity

Proximity is when elements are placed close together and tend to be perceived as a group. In this example, proximity is used as the wedges of cheese are fit so closely to on another that they form a group. It is easily distinguishable that the five wedges toward the top of the advertisement form one group while the bottom five wedges form another group. Moreover, closure is also identifiable in this image because the wedges being grouped resemble that of a set of teeth. 

Source: http://journalism273.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/gestalt.jpg

5. Figure/Ground Relationships

Figure-ground is when the eye differentiates an object from its surrounding area. In this example, this "key ring" would be identified as the figure, where the blade of the keys reveal silhouettes of female facial profiles. The ground would be the dark blue background that gives way to the revealing of the figure/figures present.
Source: http://patrickgeorge.biz/news