Gestalt applied to web design (Part 3): web examples of the proximity principle
February 14, 2008 8 comments
In the third article of the series, presenting some examples of the principle of proximity Gestalt applied to web design.
This article is part of the series "Gestalt applied to web design." Check out the list of all the parties so far:
- Gestalt applied to web design (part 1): origin of the term, meaning and utility;
- Gestalt applied to web design (Part 2): the proximity principle;
- Gestalt applied to web design (Part 3): web examples of the proximity principle (Article current).
In the previous article was presented the proximity principle that applied to web design, announced that visual elements coming forward the idea of unity and, moreover, that these elements are connected in some way.
Navigating the web, "pincei" some examples of the principle of Gestalt designs applied to the proximity of web sites. As this article has some images a little heavy, I, the undersigned, the link for those who really want to follow the examples and read the post until the end.
Examples of the proximity principle in web design

Look at this screenshot of the site GMail and understand the relationships:
- Items on the right: The form to enter the e-mail account and, below, to register in GMail. This relationship is inferred because of the two have a colored background;
- Items from left: Precisely because they all white, are related, since they have general information about e-mail account.
With the simple act of putting color on the bottom of some elements, the proximity principle was widely applied.

At the site of Whoooz! Webmedia the proximity principle was used to separate the topics of information that appear on the homepage. You will notice that the spacing between the simple texts has made is to form columns, each on their topic, which is in bold. They valeram just plain text and, applying the principle of proximity, achieved the result of the division of these topics.

In the web site Photorec, the principle of Gestalt has also been used: each of the rectangles shown in the bottom one contains information on the service offered. The rectangles were placed explicitly because the composition of design, however, even if they were not there, who enters the site would continue knowing that each column would be a "call" different, but that is an issue in common.

The treforest design, with great ownership, used the principle of proximity to "divide" the information presented. Please note that the texts (white) are "linked" to their topics (amarronzados). The closeness between the two suggests that each text is for each t ó peak. Moreover, who looks interprets various topics that are different depending on the distance between each topic.

The Web Major (with an excellent web site, let it be said in passing) uses the principle of proximity of Gestalt through the spacing and colors. The dark rectangle, is the "call" Main (has more letters and is at the top); he is "separate" from "called" secondary, which are below. These secondary, for signal, are "divided" from each other through the spacing and the fund applied to each. Look they are inter-related, and this is transmitted due to the fact that all have equal distance and have the same background.

The beautiful site of the Community Guardian makes clear the separation between the main content and related content. The text that is due to the home page is presented without background, inserted directly into the large white rectangle below, at his side, indications are for visitors to inform more about the web site, which is at the same time, an invitation to to continue reading the rest of the content of ú. The three colored rectangles deal with matters related in any way, as have the same size, have equal spacing and titles and content equals. Elements coming elements are related.
Brief consideration of the proximity principle
I could insert a lot more of examples, but, I believe, has to realize that the principle of Gestalt sites in the proximity of professional and high quality. Web You will notice that the designers of these sites that presented as an example are very aware of the laws of Gestalt and applied with great ownership, which allows produce intelligent and beautiful compositions, which really draw the attention of the visitor and agrada the senses.
Comentei As in the previous article in this series, knowing that elements coming give the idea of unity and relationships, which are connected with each other, you can better plan the design of a web site. Logically that the principle of proximity was not alone and is not applied to the construction of layouts. Other laws of Gestalt are also part of this true mastery.
In the next article in the series: principle of alignment.














Very good analysis of the interfaces. This is how we develop as designers.
@ Leonardo Vital
Absolutely! Seeing the successes of others we have the opportunity to inspire and produce a material also of quality!
Abraços!
very good the content and what I needed.
Edson @
Hello, Edson!
What good like that article and it was useful for you! We have read the other articles on the Gestalt applied to the web design?
Abraços and thanks for visiting!
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