Gestalt

A German word for form, figure or shape, in fine art it is used to describe the "phenomenon that the total effect of an object may seem greater than the sum of its constituent parts." In other words, Gestalt is the process whereby the mind of the viewer selects sensations from the totality of images in an artwork and mentally re-shapes it into an image and sensation that makes sense to the viewer. The theory was first put forth in the 1930s in Germany and England. Source: Kimberley Reynolds & Richard Seddon, "Illustrated Dictionary of Art Terms"<br><br>Gestalt theory states that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Creating effective designs depends on creating and balancing gestalt. Originally a therapeutic psychological theory (ink blots) artist&#39;s have adopted the concept for creating more balanced and dynamic art. See