The Gestalt Theory

On first hearing about the Gestalt theory I thought it would be rather difficult to find the Gestalt principles in jewellery. Well, I was pleasantly surprised…

Figure and Ground

Charcoal and Natural Birch Figure Ground Earrings - Molly McGrath.

This is one of the first images I came across. Now, to my understanding the principle “Figure and Ground“ is when ones eye separates the figure (in this case the black?) from the ground (background). Our eyes create one whole image.

I thought this was a rather interesting look at “Figure and ground”.  When we first see this piece our eye is seeing it as one object, and then we notice its an object and a background which can then be separated from one another.

Same idea here…

Berry Branch- Quote: "Happiness is when what you Think, what you Say, and what you Do are in Harmony" – Gandhi
The giving tree gallery. 

 Circle Fawn Necklace : Created By:  Figs and Ginger Each piece all Sterling Silver, at least 50% recycled, is given a blackened patina, and is made by hand so pieces will vary slightly. 16" chain

I think this is a rather literal look at  Figure and Ground. The animal and the circle become one pendant.

M.C Esher was known for his toying with Figure and Ground. He created a movement and an almost dialogue between objects and background.

Continuity 

 This is my favourite of the principles, I think it's because I find it amazing how a piece of design can be formed to compel one's eye in a certain direction.

This Boucheron item featuring a snake is the snake double ring,
http://www.replica-vertu.com/blog/39/

This piece I find absolutely beautiful. The contours leading the eye in both directions create such an organic feel. There is a movement in the continuation whereby the curvature of the line makes the double ring a whole.

 

Continuity Ring : Georg Jensen

Zeroing Animation

In this screen grab one can see and almost feel your eyes being sucked into the centre. 

Closure 

 This principle happens when a space or an object is not completed or enclosed. The eye fills in whatever isn’t there...

 

"Tania Hennessy, aka Aroha Silhouettes  debut collection of jewelry – called Phantasmal, it’s made up of twelve design illusions that become 3-D silhouettes when worn".  (http://blog.ponoko.com/2008/10/22/aroha-silhouettes-recycled-12-vinyl-jewellery/

 Here the brain automatically registers that this pendent is representing a stack of books.

 Dillon Scheenaard (animal closure)

 Here, I was trying to find a piece of design using closure that was hand rendered, no particular reason why, just curiosity.  

Love to Have (UK)

This is to me is a perfect example of closure, but then again, couldn’t it be 'figure and ground' aswell? 

I think this ring is a great example of how your eye does “make up stories” and finishes the image, filling in all the missing information.

Spell Design.

 Silhouette of Kate Moss ? I think that if the image of her wasnt next to this piece we wouldnt be so sure...

 Symmetry

Symmetry Photography Contest: spygirl1978

 maclu2iaf

It’s amazing how symmetry is seen all over but only when we remove it from its primary context can it's true design be appreciated.

Empire's Brooklyn Bridge Ring:  Emitations.com.

The symmetry of the Brooklyn Bridge turned into a ring.  We see the whole figure here; we don’t separate it into a double ring with a bridge on top.

Proximity 

The Old Mac Daddy trailer park in Elgin  - Pin wall in Grolsch Caravan

In this pin wall even though each hand print is a separate hand they  form a united pattern that works together.
We also see how by differentiating some of the pins by pressing hand prints, the hand prints become a separate object to the rest of the wall.  The Proximity principle explains that things which are close together are seen as one whole, i believe this is evident in this image. 

Design student Anna Schwamborn has created a range of jewellery made with the hair and cremated ashes of a dead loved one.

 Pieces of hair placed together to form a bracelet and we no longer see the hair as separate strands, the hairs become one unit.

 Necklaces by Spanish artist Victoria. Each piece features quotes by famous authors like Samuel Beckett, Virginial Woolf, T.S. Eliot, and Jean Genet

Similarity 

Avocado Cuff III (BR902) Created By: Hilary Hachey. Sterling silver cuff is hand-fabricated and partially oxidized. Measures 1 1/4 inch at widest width.

There is a real unity between the shapes here, there is a strength in the relationship of the separate objects because of the shared visual characteristics.

 

Final example ----- > If these shapes didn't share common characteristics such as colour, shape and texture, this star wouldn't be seen as a whole.

In conclusion I found that many Gestalt principles can be found in one design. It is also interesting that many jewellery designers actually use the Gestalt theorem as part of their inspiration therefore creating their own "unified whole".