gestalt principles

law of ignorance

out of all the possibilities, we'll perceive what makes the most sense

law of good continuation

we see things as moving rather than different things happening over time

law of proximity

we percieve things as combined when closer together

law of closure

we fill in missing information to produce completed images

law of common fate

elements appearing to move together in the same direction are percieved as a group

law of figure/ground

the brain separates objects from their surroundings and decides what is the focal point (figure) and the surroundings (ground)

law of continuity

elements on a line or curve are seen as related following the smoothest path rather than abrupt changes

law of simplicity/order (pragnanz)

complex images are reduced to their simplest possible interpretation

law of symmetry and order

symmetrical, balanced and orderly images are preferred and grouped together by the brain

law of common region

elements within the same closed boundary are seen as belonging together