Laws of Gestalt (principles of perception)

 

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Gestalt laws are principles that are considered a means rather than an end of solving some sort of rhetorical problem.

You read mostly about Figure-Ground Contrast and Grouping but you should know a few more, including color.

Similarity
Proximity
Pragnanz (or good figure/simplicity)
Continuity
Color

Visual Noise (see 2.13-noisy web page)

  • Noise happens when frequently when designers use dark blue or red paper or textured backgrounds (2.13)

  • Noise occurs when text is placed too closely together

  • How much noise is too much (depends on rhetorical situation and what the document is supposed to accomplish

  • Typefaces can be noisy too.