GROUPINGS AND

FIGURE-GROUND
PHENOMENA
CORTEZ, LLAMAS, PARUNGAO, REYES,
SAJORDA
GROUPING
WHAT IS GESTALT?
Gestalt is a configuration, pattern, or organized field
having specific properties that cannot be derived from the
summation of its component parts. It is a psychology term
which means "unified whole" referring to theories in visual
perception developed by German psychologist in 1920.
These theories attempt to describe how people tend to
organize visual elements into groups or unified wholes when
certain principles are applied.
GESTALT PRINCIPLES

Similarity
The mind groups similar elements into collective entities
or totalities. This similarity might depend on relationships of
form, color, size, or brightness.
Similarity
GESTALT PRINCIPLE
When similarity occurs, an object can be emphasise

d if it is dissimilar to the others. This is called anomally.

GESTALT PRINCIPLE
Closure

Closure occurs when the object is or space is not completely enclosed. The
mind may experience elements it does not perceive through sensation in order to
complete a regular figure (that is, to increase regularity).
GESTALT PRINCIPLE
Closure
Gestalt Principle
Continuity

The mind continues visual, auditory and kinetic patterns.

Even if a line stops, the viewer is able to follow it.
Proximity

Spatial or temporal proximity of elements may induce the

mind to perceive a collective or totality
FIgure and Ground

The eye differentiates an object from its surrounding area. a

form, silhouette, or shape is naturrally perceived as figure
(object), while the surrounding area is perceived as ground
(background).

Balancing figure and ground can make the perceived image

more clear. Using unusual figure/ground relationships can
add interest and sublety to an image.
Figure and Ground
In this image, the figure and ground relationships change as the eye perceives the
the form of a shade or the silhouette of a face.
GESTALT LAWS OF GROUPING IN ART

Art has subjects that are

normally depicted from one
viewpoint. Cubism breaks up
objects in the subject and
reassembles them through
different viewpoints. This
renders the subject through a
greater context.
GESTALT LAWS OF GROUPING IN ART

Pointilism

Pointillism relies on the brain’s ability to construct

forms from disconnected points, even in the
absence of clear, definite borders and shapes. By
manipulating density, size, the use of color or
various other qualities, one is able to elicit onto
the viewer the segregation of certain elements in
the composition to suggest shapes and forms.
FIGURE-GROUND PHENOMENA
DEFINITION
The figure-ground relationship is one of the
most important principles of our visual
perception. It is an automatic feature in our
brains to focus attention on a subject, or
figure and for the rest of the visual input to
viewed as ground.

Perspectives can change depending on what

the mind perceives to be figure and ground.
HOW DOES THE MIND DIFFERENTIATE FIGURE FROM GROUND?

The figure is first seen by the mind as “something there”.

The visual stimulus is then connected with something that is in the visual field.

At that point the visual stimulus is differentiated from the rest in the field, creating a
figure (where the attention is placed) and the ground.
DEFINITION OF FIGURE
The visually dominant and the main focus of the composition.

It is also known as positive space.

It has form, can be seen as a solid and well defined object.

DEFINITION OF GROUND
The secondary portion of the composition.

It is the surrounding area of a figure, and can be referred as

the background, or negative space.

It has no form, and is less distinct.

KINDS OF FIGURE-GROUND
PHENOMENA
AMBIGUOUS FIGURES
The perception of the viewer switches from
different interpretations of figures within an
image.
ALTERNATING FIGURES
Achieved when conformed figures are pieced together, producing an integrated
image as a whole
ALTERNATING FIGURE AND GROUND
Both figure and ground are pronounced, creating an image that can be perceived
in different ways.
 EMBEDDED FIGURES
The figures and ground have very little
difference which causes the figure to be
obscured and embedded into the ground.
IMPOSSIBLE FIGURES
A two-dimensional figure that is viewed by the mind as three-dimensional even if
the form cannot structurally exist in real life.
LENTICULAR IMAGES
Lenticular images are images produced with lenticular lenses (an array of magnifying lenses) that have
depth or the ability to change or move depending on the angle viewed.
HOW ARE LENTICULAR IMAGES MADE?
Lenticular images are formed by combining a composite, interlaced image and a lenticular lens. The
interlaced image is made by combining two images that are sliced into equal widths and then combined
by being placed next to each other.
The formed image can then be printed or laminated to the lenticular lens. This causes the combined
lenticular print to show two or more images simply by changing the position of where it is viewed.
APPLICATION OF FIGURE-GROUND PHENOMENA

RORSCHACH TEST

A psychological test where analysis is

done on the way the subject perceives
an inkblot. Some psychologists use this
to determine personality characteristics
and emotional functioning.
APPLICATION OF FIGURE-GROUND PHENOMENA

COLOR VISION TESTING

The Ishihara color test consists of

different colored spots. It is used to
see if there is a deficiency in color
vision. A figure with a slightly
different color is embedded in the
image. A series of these images are
shown in order to determine what
sort of deficiency the patient has.