Gestalt is the German word for “form, shape, pattern, or configuration.

1. PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
GESTALT
Unity and Harmony
Saad Aqeel Alzarooni
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i

2. Introduction
According to Gestalt theory, human naturally look for order or a relationship between
various elements. They observe and analyze individual parts of an image as separate
components and have the tendency to group these parts into a larger image that may
be very different from the components.
Alan Hashimoto and Mike Clayton: Visual Design Fundamentals (2009).
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i

3. G E S T A L T
UNITY
Unity expresses the idea that things belong together. Harmony is another word that
might be used in place of unity. The idea that we tend to group similar elements and
try to find a relationship that exist between them is an example of how the design
principle of unity is incorporated into the Gestalt theory of visual perception.
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i

4. Unity
This is an example of how grouping similar elements creates harmony in
design.
Inspired by: Alan Hashimoto and Mike Clayton (2009).
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i

5. Lack Of Unity
This is an example of design that is chaotic and uncomfortable to view.
Inspired by: Alan Hashimoto and Mike Clayton (2009).
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i

6. G E S T A L T
UNITY AND PLACEMENT
USING LINE
The placement of lines of type that are organized to group information that
is related.
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i

7. Unity and Placement Using Line
This is example of a page that uses the placemat of lines of type and
surrounded space to create a relationship between various forms of
information.
Inspired by: Alan Hashimoto and Mike Clayton (2009).
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i

8. Unity and Placement Using Line
This shows the shapes and values that are formed by lines of type.
Inspired by: Alan Hashimoto and Mike Clayton (2009).
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i

9. G E S T A L T
UNITY AND PLACEMENT
USING SHAPE
The placement of elements next to each other is one way to create unity.
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i

10. Unity And Placement Using Shape
This example shows shapes are placed far apart and all are too close to
the picture frame. When this happens, the edges of the composition will
receive the attention, and the middle feels open and empty.
Inspired by: Alan Hashimoto and Mike Clayton (2009).
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i

11. Unity And Placement Using Shape
All of the shapes are placed in the center of the frame and close to each
others.
Inspired by: Alan Hashimoto and Mike Clayton (2009).
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i

12. Unity And Placement Using Shape
This example shows chaos. Shapes placed at random.
Inspired by: Alan Hashimoto and Mike Clayton (2009).
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i

13. Unity And Placement Using Shape
This example show a unifying design. Shapes placed with similar line
direction and related aspects of the shapes themselves.
Inspired by: Alan Hashimoto and Mike Clayton (2009).
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i

14. N W O S EIT
O YU E
NOW YOU S EE I T
Unity And Placement Using Shape
Type set close together and the same type set loose.
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i

15. NOW YOU NOW YOU
SEE IT: SEE IT:
VISUALIZATION TECHNIQUES VISUALIZATION TECHNIQUES
Unity And Placement Using Shape
Unity between type and lines of type.
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i

16. G E S T A L T
REPETITION USING LINE
Repetition is a characteristic of unity that can be applied to any element of design.
The idea is that a part of a design repeats somewhere else in a composition to
create unity.
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i

17. Repetition Using Line
This is an example of how repetition of a line can unify a composition.
The design is made up of three shapes. The shapes seem to feel unified
but the circle seems out of place.
Inspired by: Alan Hashimoto and Mike Clayton (2009).
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i

18. Repetition Using Line
This example illustrates how repeating a line similar to the circle can
make the entire composition more harmonious. The newly added line is
large to give the design variety and interest.
Inspired by: Alan Hashimoto and Mike Clayton (2009).
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i

19. Repeated Line Direction and Unity
This example of how repeating the vertical line directions of primary
shapes unifies a design. However, the design contains shapes that seem
unrelated.
Inspired by: Alan Hashimoto and Mike Clayton (2009).
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i

20. Repeated Line Direction and Unity
This example shows that through the use of vertical line direction, the
shapes appear to be more unified.
Inspired by: Alan Hashimoto and Mike Clayton (2009).
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i

21. G E S T A L T
REPETITION USING SHAPE
There are two types of shapes: rectilinear and curvilinear. Designs that consist of similar types
of shapes are usually harmonious.
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i

22. Repetition Using Shape
This example shows design with similar rectilinear shapes.
Inspired by: Alan Hashimoto and Mike Clayton (2009).
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i

23. Repetition Using Shape
This example shows design with similar curvilinear shapes.
Inspired by: Alan Hashimoto and Mike Clayton (2009).
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i

24. Repetition Using Shape
The design makes use of both shapes in one composition, illustrating the idea
that both types of shapes can be present in a unified design. The idea that
these shapes are different from each other but can exist in the same design is
a good example of balancing unity with variety.
Inspired by: Alan Hashimoto and Mike Clayton (2009).
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i

25. saad aqeel alzarooni
Saad is passionate social designer and
ethnographic researcher. His current
research interests fall mainly in applied
knowledge modeling for planning and
evaluation and visual thinking for design
research.
Links:
linkedin.com/in/saadaqeelalzarooni
contextualresearch.wordpress.com
ideaviz.wordpress.com
saadaqeelalzarooni.wordpress.com
issuu.com/saadaqeel
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i

26. END
© 2012 s a a d a q e e l a z l a r o o n i
26