Gestalt Principles

figure and ground

the tendency for one part of an image to be perceived as the focus, and another part to be ignored as background

grouping

elements in a particular configuration are perceived in groups, rather than as individual elements

proximity

varying proximities between elements cause them to be perceived as distinct groups

closure

detached elements can suggest the existence of a continuous shape where there is none

similarity

elements that share characteristics are perceived as distinct groups

common fate

elements appearing to be moving in the same direction are perceived as a group

law of past experience

personal experience and cultural phenomena influence how stimuli are perceived