GOOD POSTER

Presented to you by: C in d y H e n g K o h W a n y in g

NM2208 Gestalt Principles

• Proximity

-Pink circles placed close together are seen as belonging together.

-Picture is very orderly with only a few distinct objects.

• Similarity

-Although the circles are of slightly different sizes, they share the same colour and shape.

-The similar circles are seen as belonging together and it creates a holistic image of a paw.

• Figure & Ground

Size -The figure is relatively

huge to grab the attention of the viewers.

-There are minimal details in the background, thus attention is focused on the main figure.

• Figure & Ground

Contrast-There is stark contrast between the background and the main picture. The background is a plain white and the “paw” is made up of deep pink colours.

-There is also contrast between the person and the paw (which is also acting like a hole).

• Figure & Ground

Details-The background is free of

details. There is no competing of attention.

-There are more details on the person, hence viewers will tend to focus on the person instead.

• Closure

-There is good closure.

-Even though the largest circle (paw) is partially covered by the man, viewers can perceive it as a paw.

• Law of Continuity- Law of continuity allows us to see the circles as a whole picture instead of separate circles.

-It also brings the number 2 into the picture as a whole.

• Overall. the picture is organized and all the details complement each other.

• The picture is also simplified and unified. The picture gives the impression of belonging as a unit.

• The picture is also comprehensible by the viewer.

BAD POSTER

• Figure & Ground

Size-The main picture of the

Samurai no doubt is of a good size to grab viewer’s attention.

-However, the other smaller group of pictures seems to be competing for attention as well.

• Figure & Ground

Contrast:-The picture of the man

(Samurai) seems to be blending into the background.

-No stark contrast between

the figure and the background.

-Both the background and the main picture are of a similar, dull colour.

• Figure & Ground

Details-The numerous group of

pictures in the poster seems to clutter the whole poster.

-The smaller text (copy) are not very visible as well.

-Both the background and the details seem to be competing for attention.

• Proximity

- The image is highly cluttered with many images in the background as well as in the foreground.

- Proximity of the images is in a rather close fashion.

- The blending of one picture to another does not justify a sense of closeness. It creates a messy impression instead.

• Similarity- There is an attempt on the

designer’s part to place the pictures in a way which are symmetrical to each other.

- It is also obvious that the designer wanted to grab attention to the main (bigger) figure.

- However, due to the nature and colour of the background images, it makes the whole poster cluttered.

• Closure

- Images are placed in an un-orderly fashion.

- It does not convey a sense of bring complete and holistic.

- If we were to take out one element of the picture (i.e. the main picture), we will not be able to identify the picture and message as a whole.