NCIDQ - chapter 3 by jfastini Flashcards
(56 cards)
Design Theory
A way to direct design based on a system of beliefs or philosophy.
Theory
A mental construct of how and why things happen, which is often used to predict future events or actions.
Theory can be based on . . .
the designer’s personal worldview, historic precedent, environmental design research, functional needs, how humans perceive their environments, a particular process of design, or any number of factors.
For interior designers, Gestalt psychology suggests that…
individual elements cannot be placed or designed as single entities but must be seen as part of a larger environment, and that people will bring to the setting their own ideas about what things are.
Among other theories, the Gestalt psychology explains the phenomenon known as simultaneous contrast with color, in which….
the same color appears to change depending on the background color it is seen against.
What are some of the principles of Gestalt psychology?
The concept of grouping, Closure (or form constancy), Continuity, Simplicity, Figure-ground
The concept of grouping
states that humans perceive separate units in the visual field as a group. There are several means by which this can occur, including proximity, similarity, direction and context ( or past experiences)
Closure (or form constancy)
The tendency to perceive incomplete forms as complete.
Continuity
The tendency to see a line or shape as continuing in a particular direction rather than making a sharp turn.
Simplicity
As part of Gestalt psychology states that people prefer the simplest, most stable organization of forms or the overall structure of elements in the visual field rather than complex individual parts.
Figure-ground
Describes the way people distinguish a form from its surroundings. (e.g. black and white vase profile)
Perceptual Constancy
The mechanism that allows humans to perceive an object or space as essentially the same regardless of the exact image on the retina of the eye.
What are the different types of perceptual constancy?
Shape constancy, size constancy, lightness constancy, and color constancy
Shape Constancy
Type of perceptual constancy, meaning that people perceive objects as having their original shapes regardless of a change in orientation of the object or point of view of the observer.
Size Constancy
Type of perceptual constancy, meaning that people tend to perceive an object as having the same size regardless of the changes in viewing distance to the object.
Lightness Constancy
Type of perceptual constancy, meaning that people perceive the lightness or darkness of an object as the same regardless of the illumination of the space in which the object is viewed.
Color Constancy
Type of perceptual constancy, meaning that people perceive the color of an object as the same regardless of the lighting conditions under which the object is viewed.
Binocular Disparity
The difference in what each eye sees. It is most prevalent at distances under about 10 ft.
Interposition
The overlap of a distant object with a closer object.
Linear Perspective
The common experience of parallel lines appearing to recede toward a point in the distance.
Atmospheric Perspective
Because there are small particles in the air, more distant objects appear to be hazy and may even change color. This is seldom any consequence for interiors.
Texture Perspective
The density of a texture seems to increase as the distance from the viewer increases.
Size Clues
When two objects are the same size, the more distant one will make a smaller image on the retina than the closer one.
Relative closeness of objects to the horizon line
For objects below the horizon line (on the ground), the closer objects are to the horizon line, the farther away they are. For objects above the horizon line (in the sky or above the observer), the same holds true, but more distant objects are lower in the visual field than close objects.
