Quantification of Symmetry, Parallelism, and Continuity as Continuous Design Variables for Three-Dimensional Product Representations

Abstract

This work introduces a methodology to quantify the form of a three-dimensional (3D) product representation using the Gestalt principles of symmetry, parallelism, and continuity, and how they can be used as descriptive parameters in product design. First, consistent quantifications of these three Gestalt principles for parametrized 3D representations in a zero-one scale are presented. Then, a generalized methodology applicable to any product form is discussed. It starts with the identification of important aesthetic forms of the product shape and the Gestalt principles that best related to those forms, and ends with the quantification of these Gestalt principles of a 3D product representation. The expressions to quantify the Gestalt principles in question are validated through an online survey in which subjects indicated how much they recognize symmetry, parallelism, or continuity from irregular shapes. Finally, random-effects ordered logit regression is used to determine if the expressions effectively describe the level of recognition of each Gestalt principle. Results show that the proposed quantifications for symmetry, parallelism, and continuity are congruent with subjects perception of these Gestalt principles, and the implications for designers and future work are discussed. Further implications in the design process of these quantifications include the optimization of the product shape for aesthetic, semantic, and functional goals.

An immersive virtual discrete choice experiment for elicitation of product aesthetics using Gestalt principles

“…On the other hand, the principle of continuity or 'good continuation' explains the grouping of consecutive elements with smooth changes between them. This principle has been associated with curvature (Singh & Fulvio 2007;Bertamini et al 2016), with the description of maximum continuity given to flat elements, which have zero curvature (Valencia-Romero & Lugo 2016b).…”

“…concept for future research on using the Gestalt principles as a general approach to describe the interactions between the three axes of the product design process: function, semantics, and aesthetics (see Figure 1) (Bloch 1995;MacDonald et al 2008;Lugo et al 2012;Homburg et al 2015;Valencia-Romero & Lugo 2016b). In this framework, aesthetics is sustained by function and semantics through the product form or Gestalt, while the latter two are respectively linked to aesthetics through the interaction between the product's dimensional variables and their effect on subjects in their first impression.…”

“…Subsequently, Valencia-Romero & Lugo (2016 a ) assessed the part-worth utilities of symmetry, parallelism, and continuity over aesthetic preferences using discrete choice experimentation (DCE), endorsing previous remarks by Jacobs (2000) regarding the significance of these Gestalt principles for visual perception of continuous shapes. In addition, Valencia-Romero & Lugo (2016 b ) extended the 2D quantifications of the aforementioned principles to 3D and used them as design variables for product form optimization. In this pilot study, these 3D quantifications are used to delve into the effect of symmetry, parallelism, and continuity on aesthetics.…”

“…Quantification of symmetry, parallelism, and continuity for 3D representations(Valencia-Romero & Lugo 2016b) …”

Application of Aesthetic Principles to the Study of Consumer Preference Models for Vase Forms

“…Valencia-Romero and Lugo [15] proposed a methodology to quantify Gestalt principles by part-worth utilities for the evaluation of product aesthetics. They also realized the quantification of symmetry, parallelism, and continuity as continuous design variables for 3D product representations [16]. Tovares et al [17] proposed a new approach of modelling consumer preference models by an experiential conjoint analysis which captures preference for a product through experience-based preference judgments.…”