Gestalt
noun
A structure, configuration, or pattern of physical or abstract elements so unified it cannot be correctly understood by analyzing its components and must be appreciated as a whole.
The book presents a gestalt of war and suffering that is haunting and impossible to forget.
Often appears as...
- gestalt theory
- gestalt psychology
noun
A school of psychology that advocates the understanding of psychological phenomena as organized wholes.
He studied Gestalt psychology and then applied it to his teaching methods.
Often appears as...
- gestalt therapy
- gestalt approach
Usage tips
Academic
noun
The idea in art and design that the whole is perceived as more than the sum of its parts, or that the organization of elements in a work affects the interpretation of the whole.
The gestalt of the painting is achieved through the balanced composition and harmonious color scheme.
Often appears as...
- gestalt effect
- gestalt composition
Usage tips
Technical
noun
A structure, configuration, or pattern of physical or abstract elements so unified it cannot be correctly understood by analyzing its components and must be appreciated as a whole.
The book presents a gestalt of war and suffering that is haunting and impossible to forget.
Often appears as...
- gestalt theory
- gestalt psychology
noun
A school of psychology that advocates the understanding of psychological phenomena as organized wholes.
He studied Gestalt psychology and then applied it to his teaching methods.
Often appears as...
- gestalt therapy
- gestalt approach
Usage tips
Academic
noun
The idea in art and design that the whole is perceived as more than the sum of its parts, or that the organization of elements in a work affects the interpretation of the whole.
The gestalt of the painting is achieved through the balanced composition and harmonious color scheme.
Often appears as...
- gestalt effect
- gestalt composition
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Beyond Components
Remember 'gestalt' reflects the idea that a whole is different from the sum of its parts.
The gestalt of her speech lay not in the words, but the passionate delivery.
Pro Tip 2/3Unified Complexity
'Gestalt' implies complexity that achieves a sense of completeness or wholeness.
The ecosystem's gestalt was a complex web of interdependent species.
Pro Tip 3/3Abstract Gain
'Gestalt' can be used for abstract and concrete things, but it's about gaining insight.
Understanding the culture's gestalt gave him a better perspective.
Pro Tip 1/3Beyond Components
Remember 'gestalt' reflects the idea that a whole is different from the sum of its parts.
The gestalt of her speech lay not in the words, but the passionate delivery.
Pro Tip 2/3Unified Complexity
'Gestalt' implies complexity that achieves a sense of completeness or wholeness.
The ecosystem's gestalt was a complex web of interdependent species.
Pro Tip 3/3Abstract Gain
'Gestalt' can be used for abstract and concrete things, but it's about gaining insight.
Understanding the culture's gestalt gave him a better perspective.
Pro Tip 1/3Beyond Components
Remember 'gestalt' reflects the idea that a whole is different from the sum of its parts.
The gestalt of her speech lay not in the words, but the passionate delivery.
Pro Tip 2/3Unified Complexity
'Gestalt' implies complexity that achieves a sense of completeness or wholeness.
The ecosystem's gestalt was a complex web of interdependent species.
Pro Tip 3/3Abstract Gain
'Gestalt' can be used for abstract and concrete things, but it's about gaining insight.
Understanding the culture's gestalt gave him a better perspective.
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Video examples
The design genius of...
It was that human connection that Charles and Ray always found in everything. And you can imagine, and the thing about it is, that they believed that the human mind could handle this number of images because the important thing was to get the gestalt of what the images were about. So that was just a little snip. But the thing about Charles and Ray
Video examples
The design genius of...
It was that human connection that Charles and Ray always found in everything. And you can imagine, and the thing about it is, that they believed that the human mind could handle this number of images because the important thing was to get the gestalt of what the images were about. So that was just a little snip. But the thing about Charles and Ray
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Paul Rand
American Designer
Graphic design, which evokes the symmetria of Vituvius, the dynamic symmetry of Hambidge, the asymmetry of Mondrian; which is a good gestalt, generated by intuition or by computer, by invention or by a system of coordinates, is not good design if it does not communicate.
Quote examples
Michael Showalter
American Comedian
I've always balked at anything that feels like a clique, even if it's not always in my best interest to do so. I like each individual, fedora-wearing hipster - it's just the greater gestalt that rubs me the wrong way.
Quote examples
Alan Menken
American Musician
Music is a gestalt. Songs are a life force and they have specific vocabulary to them. You hear a few notes, and they take you into a world of association.
Quote examples
Douglas Tompkins
American Businessman
Once we establish an architectural style in each park, we stick with it religiously and comprehensively so that it comes out as a gestalt.
Quote examples
Elizabeth Marvel
American Actress
The audience has its own gestalt, and it becomes another character - a character that changes each night.
Quote examples
Charlotte Bunch
American Activist
Feminism is an entire world view or gestalt, not just a laundry list of women's issues.
Quote examples
David Lauren
American Designer
My parents are famously not part of the gestalt of the fashion industry.
Quote examples
Paul Rand
American Designer
Graphic design, which evokes the symmetria of Vituvius, the dynamic symmetry of Hambidge, the asymmetry of Mondrian; which is a good gestalt, generated by intuition or by computer, by invention or by a system of coordinates, is not good design if it does not communicate.
Quote examples
Michael Showalter
American Comedian
I've always balked at anything that feels like a clique, even if it's not always in my best interest to do so. I like each individual, fedora-wearing hipster - it's just the greater gestalt that rubs me the wrong way.
Quote examples
Alan Menken
American Musician
Music is a gestalt. Songs are a life force and they have specific vocabulary to them. You hear a few notes, and they take you into a world of association.
Quote examples
Douglas Tompkins
American Businessman
Once we establish an architectural style in each park, we stick with it religiously and comprehensively so that it comes out as a gestalt.
Quote examples
Elizabeth Marvel
American Actress
The audience has its own gestalt, and it becomes another character - a character that changes each night.
Quote examples
Charlotte Bunch
American Activist
Feminism is an entire world view or gestalt, not just a laundry list of women's issues.
Quote examples
David Lauren
American Designer
My parents are famously not part of the gestalt of the fashion industry.
Example 1 of 7
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