Gestalt Principles in UI Design - Part 2
A common saying in the product design world is "don't make users think". It can be challenging to achieve, but getting there could be easier. Gestalt theory implies that the mind understands the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Simply put, our mind will always try to make order out of chaos. We feel most of the principles intuitively. However, knowledge about the theory is essential. In the previous article, we went over some the basics of Gestalt Principles. In this article, we will continue with the ramifications of Gestalt Principles in UI design.
Proximity is when elements arranged close to each other are perceived as more related than those placed further apart. This way different elements are viewed mainly as a group rather than as individual elements. We can use the Proximity principle in UI design tp group similar information, organizing content and layouts. As the principle states, items that are related should stay close to each other, while the unrelated items should stay further apart. White space plays an important role here since it creates contrast guiding the users to the intended direction. White space can help visual hierarchy and information flow in easy to read and scan layouts. It will help users achieve their goals faster and delve deeper into the content.
Similarly to the Proximity principle, elements placed within the same region are perceived as grouped. It can help with information grouping and content organization. It can also achieve content separation or act as a focal point. It boosts hierarchy, scanability and assists in promoting information. The Common Region principle can hold together many different elements keeping them unified within larger groups. We can achieve it with the use of lines, colors, shapes and shadows. It can often be used to bring elements into the foreground, indicating implying or importance.
Elements sharing similar visual characteristics are perceived to be more related than those not sharing similar characteristics. We tend to perceive similar to each other elements as grouped or a pattern. We also might think that they serve the same purpose. Similarity can help us with classifying objects within a group and linking them with a specific meaning or function. There are different ways of making elements perceived as being similar, and thus, related. These include similarity of color, size, shape, texture, dimension, and orientation; with some of them being more strongly communicative than others. When Similarity occurs, an object can get emphasized by being different from the rest. This is sometimes referred to as an anomaly and can be used to create contrast or visual weight. It can draw the user's attention to a focal point while assisting with scanability and the overall flow.
A group of elements are often perceived to be a single recognizable form or figure. The Closure also occurs when an object is incomplete, or parts of it are not enclosed. When presented with the right amount of information, our brain will jump to conclusions by filling in the gaps and create a unified whole. This way, we can decrease the number of elements needed to get our point across, reducing complexity and making designs more engaging. Closure can help us minimize visual clutter and convey a message, reinforcing a concept within a pretty small space.
Symmetrical elements tend to perceived as belonging together regardless of their distance, giving us a feeling of solidity and order. Symmetrical elements are simple, harmonious and visually pleasing. Our eyes seek those attributes along with order and stability, to make sense of the world. Symmetry is a useful tool for getting our point across quickly and efficiently. Symmetry feels comfortable helping us focus on what's important. Visual symmetry tends to be more dynamic, and interesting. Adding an asymmetrical element to an otherwise symmetrical design can help draw attention while making an impression. This is useful for any point of a Call To Action. Symmetry, along with a healthy amount of asymmetry is important in any design.
As with any psychological principle, learning to incorporate the visual perception principles of Gestalt into our design work can greatly improve the user experience. Understanding how the human brain works and then exploiting a person's natural tendencies creates a more seamless interaction that makes a user feel comfortable, even if it's their first time. Gestalt principles are easy to incorporate into just about any design and can quickly elevate a design that looks and feels haphazard toto one that offers a seamless, natural interaction that guides users toward the action we want them to take.