The Five Laws.

In the case of unity and variety, which are the key components in establishing an effective design, Gestalt Theory or “the psychology of the relationships of form” is the most important set of concepts to consider. It is one of the more well known scientific methods for describing the formal components of art.

There are five laws. Each law explains different ways in which the mind groups objects together to process what is seen. The mind always does this- it tries to make sense of what it sees. Good designs use unity and variety extensively and everything within the format is controlled with this in mind. Gestalt theory is simply a scientific foundation describing how the mind organizes visual data. The stronger the clarity of form, the better the design.

The emphasis or focal points of a design (as mentioned previously) are controlled by the dynamic relationships in Gestalt Theory. The stronger the groupings or relationships, the more strikingly an element will be noticed. Designs have multiple groups, each falling somewhere in the overall interplay of dominance and subordination. This should always be a highly controlled dynamic.

1. The Law of Closure: States that the mind will supply the missing pieces in a composition. Therefore not everything has to be “spoon fed” to the viewer. The art can suggest an image with far more power, than it can by trying to artificially render its likeness.
2. The Law of Continuance: States that the eye will continue along and established path. Arrows and lines running in vertical or horizontal direction will influence the eye to keep looking in that direction. The image of a road will coerce the eye to follow it to the vanishing point. Curved lines will suggest a destination. Focal points can be created strongly by the use of lines of perspective pointing in deliberate directions.
3. The Law of Similarity: Objects with the same size, color, and shape will be identified as groups quickly and attract the eye. Size is the most powerful similar attribute.
4. The Law of Proximity: Objects positioned close together, touching, overlapping, or combined within a frame, will be identified as groups quickly and attract the eye. Overlapping is the most powerful proximity attribute.
5. The Law of Alignment: Lining up objects in the format is a powerful way to create Gestalt. Alignment establishes a reconcilable order in a composition. Alignments can be obvious or subtle. Alignment creates unity and balance. Subtle alignments make for harmonious designs.