The Gestalt Principles or the Gestalt Psychology explains that the human brain tends to perceive objects or visual elements as a whole when certain principles are applied. This happens such that the human brain will fill in details on visual elements even when they do not exist. By understanding these principles, we can utilize them in data visualization to make better decisions on design choices.
- Closure
- Our minds perceive open structures as closed or complete whenever there is a way to reasonably interpret them as such. Even when presented with open structures or incomplete data, our minds instinctively attempt to fill in the missing details. By using this principle, designers can guide the viewer's perception to ensure the understanding of the presented information.
- Proximity
- We perceive objects closer to each other as together or related. In data visualization, organizing related data points or elements in close proximity reinforces their connection, which helps create a more coherent interpretation for the audience.
- Similarity
- Our brain groups items that are similar to one another. This can be through color, size, shape, or orientation. Using this principle aids in highlighting patterns, relationships, or categories. Consistency in visual elements helps bring clarity and assists the audience’s ability to distinguish meaningful information.
- For example, use color to represent one thing in a dashboard!
- Enclosure
- We perceive objects as belonging together when they are enclosed by anything that forms a visual border around them. This can help contribute to a more cohesive narrative.
- Continuity
- We perceive objects as belonging together, as part of a single whole, if they are aligned with one another or appear to form a continuation. Aligning objects or presenting them in a manner that suggests a continuous flow enhances the viewer's comprehension and also helps guide the audience’s attention in the proper order to view the visualizations.
In the context of data visualization, incorporating the Gestalt Principles is not merely an aesthetic choice but a strategic approach to enhance the audience’s cognitive experience. By aligning design elements with these principles, data visualizations become more intuitive, allowing the audience to have a deeper and more accurate interpretation of the presented data. Thus, an understanding of Gestalt Psychology is important for those aiming to create impactful and user-friendly data visualizations.
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