extra credit?
How to define gestalt? In the simplest terms, I think of it as a Lego building. To achieve gestalt t principles, you must be able to view the sum of all parts related to a design. Lego building blocks work much like this concept. A single Lego block is interesting, but ultimate it is destined for a greater purpose in building an intricate or basic building, ship, racecar or some other structure that is made from a collection of individual blocks now combined to one design.
Below are three variations regarding the definition of gestalt:
ge·stalt
/gəˈʃtɑlt, -ˈʃtɔlt, -ˈstɑlt, -ˈstɔlt/ 1.
A configuration, pattern, or organized field having specific properties that cannot be derived from the summation of its component parts; a unified whole.
2.
An instance or example of such a unified whole.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/gestalt
Gestalt psychology (also Gestalt theory of the Berlin School) is a theory of mind and brain that proposes that the operational principle of the brain is holistic, parallel, and analog, with self-organizing tendencies; or, that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
http://www.statemaster.com/encyclopedia/Gestalt-psychology
Gestalt principles are the Phi Phenomenon, which is the illusion of movement from presenting stimuli in rapid succession. When you see a cartoon or running Christmas lights, you see movement (although none actually exists) because of this principle.
http://www.alleydog.com/101notes/s&p.html
Figure Ground displayed.
My example of figure ground.
Figure ground is a highly used and well-known gestalt principle that is mostly (but not always) displayed in two color illustrations. Most famously is the “vase/faces” example.
Rubin's Vase
A goal in utilizing the figure ground principle is the create a play upon vision by varying the object that is the figure “front” and the ground “back” image. I have seen that a lot of optical illusions are based upon the figure ground relationship, so that your eye becomes confused with the logic of what it is seeing.
Visual Funhouse painted pepsi truck
