What Is Gestalt

Gestalt means "unified whole". It describes the natural human reaction of observing something and seeing a unified object and not the constiuent parts of that object. In psychology, it describes a mind that is independent of its physical workings. In general, Gestalt is the state of something being greater than the sum of its parts.

In design, Gestalt can be an effective tool to reach your audience. Also known as the principles of grouping, Gestalt principles include grouping, similarity, ground, closure, space and symmetry.

Without the work of Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka, Rudolf Arnheim, and Wolfgang Kohler, we wouldn't have Gestalt theory to thank for these eye-catching and complex design styles.