021 Closure

A tendency to complete incomplete or interrupted forms and patterns.

• One of the Gestalt principles of perception.

• Patterns that require closure for completion grab attention and are considered more interesting.

• Closure likely evolved as a form of threat detection, enabling human ancestors to reflexively detect partially obscured threats, like snakes in the grass.

• Closure is strongest when patterns are simple and elements are located near one another.

• Use closure to reduce complexity and increase the interestingness of designs. When designs involve simple and recognizable patterns, consider removing areas to trigger closure in viewers.

See Also Flow • Threat Detection • Zeigarnik Effect

Engaging people to complete or “close” logos is an effective means of grabbing and holding attention.