Design Principles / Task 1: Exploration

9/2/2026 - ?/2/2026 (Week 1 - Week 4)
Nadhrah binti Abdul Razak / 0359620
Design Principles / Bachelors of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Project 1 - Exploration

INSTRUCTIONS

DESIGN PRINCIPLES

1. Gestalt Theory

- "Gestalt" refers to shape or form in German.
- Gestalt principles or laws are rules that describe how the human eye perceive visual elements.

- These principles aim to show the complexity scenes can be reduced to more simple shapes.
- Aim to explain how the eyes perceive the shapes as a single, united form.

1a. Principle of Similarity
- Complete picture, shape, or group are perceived as similar elements even if they are separated.
- The brain seems to craft a link between elements of similar nature.

Fig 1.1a, Picture Reference

1b. Principle of Continuation
- The human eye follows the paths, lines, and curves of a design
- Prefers to see a continuous flow of visual elements rather than separated objects.

Fig 1.1b, Picture Reference

Fig 1.2b, Picture Reference

1c. Principle of Closure
- The human eye prefers to see complete shapes. If the visual elements are not complete, the user can perceive a complete shape by filling in missing visual information.

Fig 1.1c, Picture Reference

Fig 1.2c, Picture Reference

Fig 1.3c, Picture Reference

1d. Principle of Proximity
- The process of ensuring related design elements are placed together. Any unrelated items, should be spaced apart.
- Close proximity indicates items that are connected or have a relationship to each other and become one visual unit which helps organise or give structure to a layout.

Fig 1.1d, Picture Reference

Fig 1.2d

1e. Principle of Figure/Ground
- Objects are perceived as being either in the foreground or the background.
- Stand out either prominently in the front (the figure) or recede into the back (the ground).

Fig 1.1e, Picture Reference

Fig 1.2e, Picture Reference

1f. Law of Symmetry & Order
- Elements that are symmetrical to each other tend to be perceived as a unified group.
- Suggests that objects that are symmetrical with each other will be more likely to be grouped together.