Gestalt Principles

Useful in UI/UX for improving aesthetics, functionality, and user-friendliness

Gestalt Principles

The six most widely recognized gestalt principles of design are:

• Similarity

• Continuation

• Closure

• Proximity

• Figure/ground

• Symmetry and order (also known as prägnanz).

We tend to group elements together if they share common traits (e.g. color, shape, size), even if they are not close to each other

Similarity

Use consistent styling for similar items (buttons, links, icons). Highlight or differentiate items you want users to notice.

Similarity

Our eyes follow the smoothest path, even if the path changes direction or style.

Continuation (Law of Continuity)

Arrange elements so that the flow guides users through the content (e.g., lines, edges, grids). Useful in navigation, progress indicators.

Continuation (Law of Continuity)

We mentally fill in missing information to perceive a whole image.

Closure

Use partial shapes, implied lines, or fading edges to suggest content, encourage user interaction (swipe, scroll), clean logos.

Closure

Elements close together are seen as related, even if their appearance differs.

Proximity

Group related content close together; use spacing to separate different groups. Helps structure forms, lists, menus.

Proximity

The brain separates what is foreground (figure) vs background (ground). Sometimes both can contain distinct images.

Figure/Ground

Use contrast, negative space to highlight focal elements (modals, pop-ups). Clever background/foreground interplay can add visual interest.

Figure/Ground

We prefer simple, orderly, symmetric forms; we simplify ambiguous shapes into the simplest possible perception.

Symmetry & Order (Prägnanz)

Keep layouts clean; minimize unnecessary complexity; use symmetry or balanced asymmetry. Helps users process content quickly.

Symmetry & Order (Prägnanz)

Elements moving or oriented in the same direction tend to be perceived as a unit. Even static orientation implying motion can create this grouping

Common Fate

Useful in animations, transitions, directional cues. Helps group interactive or changing elements; can lead user attention.

Common Fate