Category: 121

In this poster, Saul Bass has used the Gestalt Theory principle of Figure/Ground. This principle states that as humans we separate foreground and background elements so we understand what it is that we are seeing. The viewer can manipulate/flip the figure/ground relationships, in this case, its the gun and the man’s outline, this is also known at “multistability”.

This logo by Dimitrije Mikovic is a good example of the Gestalt Theory Principle of Closure. Closure happens when there is a break in a design element, but our brains continue to perceive the image anyways. The viewer can see this upon looking at the break in the mountains, which actually helps to show the features and make the mountain look more rugged, and in the breaks, there is the shape of an airplane.

Ellen Bruss Design

White space is the empty area around or within a design. It allows the elements to breathe. Without whitespace, designs can come across crowded and not as powerful. This design Rolling Papers by Ellen Bruss Design is an example of the use of good whitespace.

Oliver Munday

Size is the relationship between the area taken up by two or more elements. In the book cover “THICK” the “H” has been stretched to create this dramatic effect to the viewer. The stretched “H” helps showcase the title of the book visually.

Allan Espiritu, Kevin Kernan

Texture as a design element, is the quality of the surface of the design. In this design, by Allan Espiritu & Kevin Kernan, the texture is a very important element that they have used. Without the change in texture you wouldnt be able to see the text although it is still very subtile.