The principle of smallness

According to the principle of smallness, we tend to see smaller areas as figures

against a large background

When we see our mind is constantly working out what is figure and what is
background. Small objects will be favoured as figures against a background of
large objects. Our tendency is to see what is small and ignore the large. This
sounds like there is a theological lesson in this somewhere. From a practical
standpoint it means that making something large isn’t usually the way to make it
our focal point. There is more of it to see, but it will get lost as it becomes
background.

Consider our old friend the Rubin Vase. It is readily apparent when it is relatively
small in relation to the faces. If the vase is large relative to the faces, then we
tend to pick out the faces as the figure and the vase becomes the background.

The principle of symmetry

The principle of symmetry states that people tend to organize things to make
balanced or symmetrical figures that include all the parts. Thus we tend to
see symmetrical areas as figures against asymmetrical backgrounds.

The Gestalt principle of symmetry is when people perceive symmetrical

elements as part of a unified group.

It should come as no surprise that people tend to look for order in objects,
and symmetry is one means of doing that. That’s why symmetry is so
satisfying to us: it’s a simple, harmonious rule that conveys a sense of order
and rightness in things. That’s probably why symmetry proves so popular in
governmental buildings throughout the world. (And why 3-column designs
are all the rage.) Studies have also shown that our standard for “beauty” in
faces depends largely on symmetry.