Create > Gestalt Grouping

Create > Gestalt Grouping

• Things which have similar qualities will appear to belong together.  So we see squares because common colors are visually linked within this matrix.  

Goal Concept:

Perceptually link elements in your design with common properties..

Access Prior Knowledge:

“The ‘principle of similarity’ asserts that the degree to which parts of a pattern resemble each other in some perceptual quality will help determine the degree to which they are seen as belonging together” ~ Rudolph Arnheim

New Information:

Grouping

The rules of perceptual grouping were established by Gestalt psychologists like Max Wertheimer in the 1900.  Perceptual grouping is similarity grouping or ‘the degree to which parts of a pattern resemble each other will help determine the degree to which they are seen as belonging together.’  Aristotle said similarity is the key factor in the logical classification of things.  The Greek poet Homer wrote, “Like takes to like.”   

• the modular units that differ from the squares are still visually linked but provide a sensation of movement.

The Gestalt psychologists discovered that in the normal process of visual scanning, the eye-brain network seeks and identifies ‘visual gestalts’ - perceived integrations - within any visual field, even in those which at first seem undifferentiated or visually incoherent.  

This is important for you because, in any design or painting, things which share common properties will be perceptually linked.  Through similarity grouping and closure, dots become lines, lines become shapes, and shapes become images.  

Artist References:

Victor Vasarely > http://goo.gl/MdRzgW > http://www.wikiart.org/en/victor-vasarely

Ken Knowlton > http://goo.gl/LeN7jf  

Chuck Close > http://goo.gl/j0CJ > http://www.wikiart.org/en/chuck-close/mode/all-paintings

Apply Knowledge and Skills:

Studio Project 1:

Create > Grouping Letters or Numerals

Goal: Create an allover pattern using only letters or words

Studio Activity: Grouping Letters or Numerals

Group only letters, numerals or technical symbols to produce an allover pattern.  Repeat the units either overlapping or just touching not overlapping.  As you arrange the elements to produce an integrated design, be aware of positive and negative space (figure/ground).  

Enrichment:

Use words and images to produce an abstract composition.  Write, print, type or use collage to produce the design.  Repeat the visual elements to create a visual texture as well as an idea.

 

Trigger Mechanisms:

Repeat, combine, animate

Materials:

paper, marker, templates, magazines, computer

Visual Examples:

• https://goo.gl/photos/ALKkxjMcq1FmU4y1A
• Micrography > https://goo.gl/XfStol

Studio Project 2:

Create > Grid Matrix Patterns

Goal:  Make certain elements look alike so as to be seen as belonging together

Studio Activity: Grid Matrix Patterns

Begin by making a grid matrix which will be used as an alignment device. Create a grouping pattern composition with round, square or triangular dots, used either singly or in combination.  some ways of producing dot grouping patterns are:

• change the color, size or texture of some dots
• substitute different shaped dots
• omit some dots
• shift the alignment of some dots
• randomize the placement of some dots

Trigger Mechanisms:

Repeat, combine (perceptually), animate

Materials:

paper, ruler, compass, scissors, felt-tipped marking pens, templates

Visual examples:

• https://goo.gl/photos/8V8kxiUHWSZnNtTw7
• > http://goo.gl/HvJN95

“The relative degree of similarity in a given perceptual pattern makes for a corresponding degree of connection or fusion.” ~Rudolph Arnheim

Generalize, Reflect & Publish:

Instructional Strategy

• Evaluate the results

Learning Activity

Reflect > Should I go back and rework anything?

• How did you combine art elements (line, color, shape, texture, value)  to develop art principles? (Unity/variety, balance, emphasis contrast, rhythm, proportion/scale, figure/ground relationship)

• Where are the dominant shapes, forms, colors, or textures that carry expressive significance?
• Why Is the work ordered and balanced or chaotic and disturbing?
• What gives the work its uniqueness?
• Is symbolism used in the work to convey meaning other than what one sees?
• Does the work evoke any feelings?

Instructional Strategy

• Providing Recognition

Learning Activity

Publish > Share your album to our G+Community > Concepts & Creations category

Display > Add your photos to the Event

Instructional Strategy

• Providing Feedback

Learning Activity

Critique >

• Give positive feedback > +1 every image that deserves it
• Give peer feedback > Give 2 peer images a VTS critique > http://goo.gl/1WWmBY

Self-assess >

• Evaluate > Thinglink Rubric Scoring Guidelines >  http://goo.gl/ejQq7B or AP Padlet Scoring Guidelines >  https://goo.gl/a70ikP
• Life Skills Survey > http://goo.gl/iEUqr (responses > http://goo.gl/8YDnYF)