VIS

UA

L O

RD

ER

content

figure/ground

similarity

proximity

closure

continuance

translation

rotation

reflection

glide/reflection

dilation

structured space

symmetric balance

asymmetric balance

ambiguous balance

neutral balance

figure/ground a fundamental property of perception in which there is a tendency to see parts of a visual field as a group based on contrast.

figure/ground a fundamental property of perception in which there is a tendency to see parts of a visual field as a group based on contrast.

similarity

similar visual units are seen as group based upon color, shape, size, and direction

proximity

figures near one another are usually seen as a group

we have a visual tendency to close/finish forms

closure

visual organization that leads the eye through lines and curves

continuance

repeating a figure in exact same intervals in a specific direction

translation

rotating and duplicating a figure around a fixed axis point

rotation

a mirrored figure over a specific axis

reflection

reflection

glide/reflection

a mirrored figure over a specific axis that is moved or slipped up/down into a new position

a figures change in size in set intervals

dilation

dilation

stru

ctur

e 1

stru

ctur

e 2

stru

ctur

e 3

stru

ctur

e 4

stru

ctur

e 5

stru

ctur

e 6

symmetrical balance

balance characterized over a central axis

asymmetric balance

balance that is characterized by unequal arrangements

ambiguous balance

balance that is characterized by an unclear relationship between compositional elements

neutral balance

balance that is characterized by randomness of parts

Figure Ground, Structure, and Blance Photographs from

Benoit Paille http://www.behance.net/Benoitp

Tobias Koch http://500px.com/toko

Completed as a requirement for Visual Communication in the

Graphic Design department at the Kansas City Art Institute.

Michael Kidwell, Assistant Professor

© Monica Roesner, September 2012