Visual order

contents

figure/ground

similarity

proximity

closure

continuance

translation

rotation

reflection glide/reflection

dilation

structured space

symmetric balance

asymmetric balance

ambiguous balance

neutral balance

figure / ground the spacial relationship between an object (positive space) and it’s background (negative space).

similarityobjects that share similar visual characteristics are often viewed as belonging together.

proximitysimilar objects that are placed close to one another are often perceived to be in a group.

proximitysimilar objects that are placed close to one another are often perceived to be in a group.

closureviewing an incomplete object and wanting to mentally complete it.

continuance

a group of figures / objects that are arranged to

imply movement through the group.

translationthe repetition of an object with each repition spaced in uniformsequence and intervals.

rotationturning an object around a predetermined axis often implies movement/ continuance. this causes the viewer’s eye to follow apath created by the object(s).

reflectionthe placement of a figure on a plane of 180 degrees. achieves the same

effect as seeing the duplicate of a figure in a mirror.

glide /reflectionmirroring an object and then shifting it down a predetermined axis.

dilationthe repetition and change in size of

an object coupled with uniform spacing.

structure 1

structure 2

structure 3

structure 4

structure 5

structure 6

symmetric balancea form of balance characterized by similar objects placed

on opposite sides of a central axis, but the placement creates a uniform, equal, proportionate composition.

asymmetric balancea form of balance characterized by objects being placed on opposite sides of a central axis but theplacement of the items cause the composition to appear unequal and non-uniform. it does not look proportionate.

ambiguous balancea form of balance characterized by its undecided nature.the objects in the composition do not clearly or directly relate to one another.

neutral balancea form of balance characterized by it’s undecided nature. the objects in the composition do notclearly or directly relate to one another.

© nick howland, 9/21/12

completed as a requirement forvisual communication in the graphic design department at the kansas city art institute. michael kidwell, assistant professor.