Law Of Common Region - Gestalt Laws of Perceptual Organization
The law of common region is a powerful principle of visual perception that can improve your web design. Find out how to use it with real examples.
The law of common region is one of the Gestalt principles of visual perception that explains how we perceive elements that are enclosed within a common boundary or region as a group. It is based on the idea that our brains tend to organize information in a way that is regular, orderly, and recognizable. By applying the law of common region in web design, we can create clear and effective user interfaces (UI) that enhance the user experience (UX).
What is the law of common region?
The law of common region was formulated by Gestalt psychologists Stephen Palmer and Irvin Rock in 1999. It states that we see elements placed within the same visual container as a group. We also assume that elements of the group share something in common, such as a characteristic or function.
For example, if we see a collection of symbols scattered randomly on a page, but some of them are colored and separated by a border, we will perceive the symbols within the border as a distinct group separate from the rest.
Why is the law of common region important for web design?
- Establish visual hierarchy: By grouping related elements within a common region, we can create contrast and distinction from other elements.
- Organize content: By grouping related content within a common region, we can create sections and categories that help users understand the structure and flow of the website.
- Improve usability: By grouping related elements within a common region, we can create clear affordances and feedback that help users interact with the website.
How to apply the law of common region in UX and UI?
- Borders: By adding a border around an element or group of elements, we can visually separate them from other elements and indicate their relationship.
- Backgrounds: By adding a background color or image behind an element or group of elements, we can visually group them together and create contrast from other elements.
- Shadows: By adding a shadow effect to an element or group of elements, we can create depth and dimension that make them stand out from other elements.
Conclusions
The law of common region is one of the Gestalt principles of visual perception that helps us create clear and effective user interfaces. By applying it in web design, we can group related elements within a common boundary or region that indicates their relationship and function. This helps us create visual hierarchy, organize content, and improve usability.
Other Gestalt Laws
Check out the other five Gestalt laws in our following articles:
Bibliography
[1] S. E. Palmer and I. Rock, “Rethinking perceptual organization: The role of uniform connectedness,” Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 29-55, 1999.
