{"id":7597,"date":"2014-03-28T16:41:16","date_gmt":"2014-03-28T11:11:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.fusioncharts.com\/?p=7597"},"modified":"2026-01-20T14:42:05","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T09:12:05","slug":"how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use the Gestalt Principles for Visual Storytelling in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This article is the fifth and final post in our series \u2018<\/span><\/em><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Principles of Data Visualization<\/span><\/em><\/a><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u2019 #PoDV<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWe&#8217;ve talked about the <a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/fusioncharts.com\/blog\/to-explain-or-explore-that-is-the-question-in-data-visualization-podv\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">goals of data visualization<\/span><\/a> and how <a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-we-decode-visual-information-podv\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">preattentive attributes and analytical patterns<\/span><\/a> help us process visual information over the last few weeks. When designing visualizations, however, we frequently want to emphasize certain aspects of the visual over others. Gestalt&#8217;s Principles come in handy in these situations.\r\n\r\nIn this post, we&#8217;ll show you how to apply the gestalt principles to visualizations to see patterns as well as visual storytelling. If you\u2019re looking for a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/fusioncharts\">Data Visualization Tool<\/a>, we suggest using fusioncharts for data visualization.\r\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_71 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#Using_Gestalt_Principles_to_Bring_Out_Patterns_in_Visualizations\" title=\"Using Gestalt Principles to Bring Out Patterns in Visualizations\">Using Gestalt Principles to Bring Out Patterns in Visualizations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#An_Example_From_Recorded_Future\" title=\"An Example From Recorded Future\">An Example From Recorded Future<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#Gestalt_Principles\" title=\"Gestalt Principles\">Gestalt Principles<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#Figure_Ground\" title=\"Figure &amp; Ground\">Figure &amp; Ground<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#Proximity\" title=\"Proximity\">Proximity<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#Similarity\" title=\"Similarity\">Similarity<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#Analytical_Patterns\" title=\"Analytical Patterns\">Analytical Patterns<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#Going_Up_Going_Down_Remaining_Flat\" title=\"Going Up, Going Down, Remaining Flat\">Going Up, Going Down, Remaining Flat<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#Wide_Narrow\" title=\"Wide, Narrow\">Wide, Narrow<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#Tightly_Loosely_Distributed\" title=\"Tightly, Loosely Distributed\">Tightly, Loosely Distributed<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#Normal_Abnormal\" title=\"Normal, Abnormal\">Normal, Abnormal<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#Preattentive_Attributes\" title=\"Preattentive Attributes\">Preattentive Attributes<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#Spatial_Position\" title=\"Spatial Position\">Spatial Position<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#Size_or_Area\" title=\"Size or Area\">Size or Area<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#Hue_or_Color\" title=\"Hue or Color\">Hue or Color<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#Intensity\" title=\"Intensity\">Intensity<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Using_Gestalt_Principles_to_Bring_Out_Patterns_in_Visualizations\"><\/span>Using Gestalt Principles to Bring Out Patterns in Visualizations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Gestalt principles describe how our mind organizes individual visual elements into groups to make sense of the entire visual. When designing a visual, these principles can highlight essential patterns and downplay other patterns. The image below illustrates the principles of Gestalt, which are relevant to visualization (you can see a more extensive list on\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gestalt_psychology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Wikipedia<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">).<\/span>\r\n\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7631 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/gallery\/blog\/2014\/03\/illustrations.jpg\" alt=\"illustrations\" width=\"597\" height=\"323\" srcset=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/illustrations.jpg 597w, \/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/illustrations-150x81.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 597px) 100vw, 597px\" \/><!--more-->\r\n\r\n<span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Here\u2019s what we notice from each of the illustrations:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Proximity<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">: We see three rows of dots instead of four columns of dots because they are closer horizontally than vertically.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Similarity<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">: We see similar-looking objects as part of the same group.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Enclosure:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0We group the first four and last four dots as two rows instead of eight dots.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Symmetry<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">: We see three pairs of symmetrical brackets rather than six individual brackets.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Closure<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">: We automatically close the square and circle instead of seeing three separate paths.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Continuity<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">: We see one continuous path instead of three arbitrary ones.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Connection<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">: We group the connected dots as belonging to the same group.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Figure &amp; ground<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">: We either notice the two faces or the vase. Whichever we see becomes the figure, and the other the ground.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">These principles allow us to perform many tasks, such as reducing the noise from charts, choosing the ideal aspect ratio, and clearly showing relationships between elements. Let\u2019s look at a dashboard and see these principles in action.<\/span>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"An_Example_From_Recorded_Future\"><\/span>An Example From Recorded Future<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">We\u2019ll consider the following visualization from\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/recordedfuture.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Recorded Future<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, a web intelligence company. This visualization compares the mentions of Apple, Google, and Microsoft across the web over the next five years.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7632 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/gallery\/blog\/2014\/03\/Recorded-Future-Apple-Google-and-Microsoft-during-the-next-five-years-616x247-1024x353.png\" alt=\"Recorded Future - Apple Google and Microsoft during the next five years\" width=\"1024\" height=\"353\" \/>\r\n\r\nThis visualization features two chart types &#8211; An area chart, which is grayed out in the background, and a bubble chart, which is color-coded in the foreground. Let\u2019s analyze this simple visualization and identify which elements from this white paper it uses.\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Gestalt_Principles\"><\/span>Gestalt Principles<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Figure_Ground\"><\/span>Figure &amp; Ground<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\nThe first thing you notice when looking at this visualization is that the bubbles stand out against the backdrop of the area charts. This is appropriate considering the designer wants the viewer to explore deeper information embedded within the bubbles. The area chart, which is grayed out, shows the trend over time and isn\u2019t meant to be explored. This is an excellent example of the Gestalt principle of Figure &amp; Ground.\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Proximity\"><\/span>Proximity<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\nThe bubbles are organized in three distinct groups along the horizontal line. We can identify the three groups of bubbles quickly because of how close they are to each other. Notice that enough space is given between each group to make them distinct. This uses the principle of Proximity.\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Similarity\"><\/span>Similarity<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Further, we notice that the bubbles are of three colors &#8211; green, purple, and blue. This Similarity brings out the grouping even more clearly.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">To fully understand the following few pointers, read\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-we-decode-visual-information-podv\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">last week\u2019s post<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0if you haven\u2019t already.<\/span>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Analytical_Patterns\"><\/span>Analytical Patterns<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Going_Up_Going_Down_Remaining_Flat\"><\/span>Going Up, Going Down, Remaining Flat<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\nThese patterns are most visible in the area chart. We notice that the overall trend for Apple is upward, while Google\u2019s Microsoft stays flat.\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wide_Narrow\"><\/span>Wide, Narrow<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\nThere are many peaks within the area chart, but one of them for Microsoft is particularly noticeable in January 2015. This peak is narrower than the other peaks.\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tightly_Loosely_Distributed\"><\/span>Tightly, Loosely Distributed<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\nWe notice the loose distribution of bubbles for all three companies around 2018 and 2019 and tight distribution around 2014.\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Normal_Abnormal\"><\/span>Normal, Abnormal<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\nZoning in on the bubbles for Microsoft, we notice an outlier for Microsoft in mid-2015. The other bubbles fall within a more normal range. Seeing these patterns makes us want to further probe into them.\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Preattentive_Attributes\"><\/span>Preattentive Attributes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Spatial_Position\"><\/span>Spatial Position<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\nWe use the preattentive attribute of position to track the rise and fall of the area chart. Similarly, we notice the abnormal bubble in Microsoft\u2019s chart because of its higher position than the other bubbles.\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Size_or_Area\"><\/span>Size or Area<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\nThe bubbles vary in size. Their size corresponds to the number of web mentions for a particular topic. This makes it easy to spot the essential mentions and explore them in detail.\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hue_or_Color\"><\/span>Hue or Color<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\nAs mentioned earlier, the color of the bubbles makes it easy to classify them into three groups. This employs the preattentive attribute of Hue.\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Intensity\"><\/span>Intensity<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\nFinally, the low intensity of the area chart places it in the background, giving priority to the bubbles.\r\n\r\nBeing aware of the preattentive attributes, analytical patterns, and Gestalt principles can make a visual come alive. Also, when designing visualizations, the Gestalt principles allow us to prioritize basic patterns and downplay the noisy ones.\r\n\r\nUnderstanding these basic principles of data visualization will help us craft outstanding visualizations and tell compelling stories, much to the delight of our colleagues and end-users.\r\nIf you\u2019ve missed any of the previous posts in this series, here they are:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fusioncharts.com\/blog\/everyone-does-it-but-no-one-talks-about-it-data-visualization-podv\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\">Everyone Does it, but No One Talks About It \u2013 Data Visualization<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fusioncharts.com\/blog\/to-explain-or-explore-that-is-the-question-in-data-visualization-podv\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\">To Explain, or Explore: That is the Question in Data Visualization<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fusioncharts.com\/blog\/two-to-tango-the-role-of-eyesight-memory-in-data-visualization\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Two to Tango: The Role of Eyesight &amp; Memory in Data Visualization<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-we-decode-visual-information-podv\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\">How We Decode Visual Information<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nAdditionally, if you\u2019d like to read the entire series in one sitting, get our white paper \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/whitepapers\/downloads\/Principles-of-Data-Visualization.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Principles of Data Visualization<\/a>.\u2019","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This article is the fifth and final post in our series \u2018Principles of Data Visualization\u2019 #PoDV. We&#8217;ve talked about the goals of data visualization and how preattentive attributes and analytical patterns help us process visual information over the last few weeks. When designing visualizations, however, we frequently want to emphasize certain aspects of the visual [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[480,495,479,463,308,496],"coauthors":[696],"class_list":["post-7597","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-thoughts","tag-analytical-patterns","tag-gestalt-principles","tag-preattentive-attributes","tag-principles-of-data-visualization","tag-recorded-future","tag-visual-storytelling"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Use the Gestalt Principles for Visual Storytelling in 2026<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The final post in our Principles of Data Visualization series. Master the goals of 2026 data viz for professional results. Complete your visual education.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Use the Gestalt Principles for Visual Storytelling in 2026\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The final post in our Principles of Data Visualization series. Master the goals of 2026 data viz for professional results. Complete your visual education.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"FusionBrew - The FusionCharts Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2014-03-28T11:11:16+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-01-20T09:12:05+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/illustrations.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"597\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"323\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Twain Taylor\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Twain Taylor\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\n\t    \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n\t    \"@graph\": [\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Article\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#article\",\n\t            \"isPartOf\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"author\": {\n\t                \"name\": \"Twain Taylor\",\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/e85928aed35265962d19c247c015c7a1\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"headline\": \"How to Use the Gestalt Principles for Visual Storytelling in 2026\",\n\t            \"datePublished\": \"2014-03-28T11:11:16+00:00\",\n\t            \"dateModified\": \"2026-01-20T09:12:05+00:00\",\n\t            \"mainEntityOfPage\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"wordCount\": 973,\n\t            \"commentCount\": 1,\n\t            \"publisher\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/#organization\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#primaryimage\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"thumbnailUrl\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/gallery\/blog\/2014\/03\/illustrations.jpg\",\n\t            \"keywords\": [\n\t                \"analytical patterns\",\n\t                \"gestalt principles\",\n\t                \"preattentive attributes\",\n\t                \"principles of data visualization\",\n\t                \"recorded future\",\n\t                \"visual storytelling\"\n\t            ],\n\t            \"articleSection\": [\n\t                \"Thoughts\"\n\t            ],\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t            \"potentialAction\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"CommentAction\",\n\t                    \"name\": \"Comment\",\n\t                    \"target\": [\n\t                        \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#respond\"\n\t                    ]\n\t                }\n\t            ]\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"WebPage\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/\",\n\t            \"name\": \"How to Use the Gestalt Principles for Visual Storytelling in 2026\",\n\t            \"isPartOf\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/#website\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"primaryImageOfPage\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#primaryimage\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#primaryimage\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"thumbnailUrl\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/gallery\/blog\/2014\/03\/illustrations.jpg\",\n\t            \"datePublished\": \"2014-03-28T11:11:16+00:00\",\n\t            \"dateModified\": \"2026-01-20T09:12:05+00:00\",\n\t            \"description\": \"The final post in our Principles of Data Visualization series. Master the goals of 2026 data viz for professional results. Complete your visual education.\",\n\t            \"breadcrumb\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#breadcrumb\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t            \"potentialAction\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ReadAction\",\n\t                    \"target\": [\n\t                        \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/\"\n\t                    ]\n\t                }\n\t            ]\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#primaryimage\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/gallery\/blog\/2014\/03\/illustrations.jpg\",\n\t            \"contentUrl\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/gallery\/blog\/2014\/03\/illustrations.jpg\"\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#breadcrumb\",\n\t            \"itemListElement\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t                    \"position\": 1,\n\t                    \"name\": \"Home\",\n\t                    \"item\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/\"\n\t                },\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t                    \"position\": 2,\n\t                    \"name\": \"How to Use the Gestalt Principles for Visual Storytelling in 2026\"\n\t                }\n\t            ]\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"WebSite\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/#website\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/\",\n\t            \"name\": \"FusionBrew - The FusionCharts Blog\",\n\t            \"description\": \"Get tips and tricks on how to build effective Data Visualisation using FusionCharts\",\n\t            \"publisher\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/#organization\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"potentialAction\": [\n\t                {\n\t                    \"@type\": \"SearchAction\",\n\t                    \"target\": {\n\t                        \"@type\": \"EntryPoint\",\n\t                        \"urlTemplate\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"\n\t                    },\n\t                    \"query-input\": {\n\t                        \"@type\": \"PropertyValueSpecification\",\n\t                        \"valueRequired\": true,\n\t                        \"valueName\": \"search_term_string\"\n\t                    }\n\t                }\n\t            ],\n\t            \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\"\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/#organization\",\n\t            \"name\": \"FusionCharts\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/\",\n\t            \"logo\": {\n\t                \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t                \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\n\t                \"url\": \"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/idera-fc-logo.svg\",\n\t                \"contentUrl\": \"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/idera-fc-logo.svg\",\n\t                \"width\": 1,\n\t                \"height\": 1,\n\t                \"caption\": \"FusionCharts\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"\n\t            }\n\t        },\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Person\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/e85928aed35265962d19c247c015c7a1\",\n\t            \"name\": \"Twain Taylor\",\n\t            \"image\": {\n\t                \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t                \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/d3aca1e2e5d7eb00baf65497b234f242\",\n\t                \"url\": \"\/blog\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/477\/4773acbce5f98692bf61154a92204f81x96.jpg\",\n\t                \"contentUrl\": \"\/blog\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/477\/4773acbce5f98692bf61154a92204f81x96.jpg\",\n\t                \"caption\": \"Twain Taylor\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/author\/twain\/\"\n\t        }\n\t    ]\n\t}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How to Use the Gestalt Principles for Visual Storytelling in 2026","description":"The final post in our Principles of Data Visualization series. Master the goals of 2026 data viz for professional results. Complete your visual education.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How to Use the Gestalt Principles for Visual Storytelling in 2026","og_description":"The final post in our Principles of Data Visualization series. Master the goals of 2026 data viz for professional results. Complete your visual education.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/","og_site_name":"FusionBrew - The FusionCharts Blog","article_published_time":"2014-03-28T11:11:16+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-01-20T09:12:05+00:00","og_image":[{"width":597,"height":323,"url":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/illustrations.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Twain Taylor","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Twain Taylor","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/"},"author":{"name":"Twain Taylor","@id":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/e85928aed35265962d19c247c015c7a1"},"headline":"How to Use the Gestalt Principles for Visual Storytelling in 2026","datePublished":"2014-03-28T11:11:16+00:00","dateModified":"2026-01-20T09:12:05+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/"},"wordCount":973,"commentCount":1,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/gallery\/blog\/2014\/03\/illustrations.jpg","keywords":["analytical patterns","gestalt principles","preattentive attributes","principles of data visualization","recorded future","visual storytelling"],"articleSection":["Thoughts"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/","url":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/","name":"How to Use the Gestalt Principles for Visual Storytelling in 2026","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/gallery\/blog\/2014\/03\/illustrations.jpg","datePublished":"2014-03-28T11:11:16+00:00","dateModified":"2026-01-20T09:12:05+00:00","description":"The final post in our Principles of Data Visualization series. Master the goals of 2026 data viz for professional results. Complete your visual education.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/gallery\/blog\/2014\/03\/illustrations.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/gallery\/blog\/2014\/03\/illustrations.jpg"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-gestalt-principles-for-visual-storytelling-podv\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How to Use the Gestalt Principles for Visual Storytelling in 2026"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/","name":"FusionBrew - The FusionCharts Blog","description":"Get tips and tricks on how to build effective Data Visualisation using FusionCharts","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"FusionCharts","url":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/idera-fc-logo.svg","contentUrl":"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/idera-fc-logo.svg","width":1,"height":1,"caption":"FusionCharts"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/e85928aed35265962d19c247c015c7a1","name":"Twain Taylor","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/d3aca1e2e5d7eb00baf65497b234f242","url":"\/blog\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/477\/4773acbce5f98692bf61154a92204f81x96.jpg","contentUrl":"\/blog\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/477\/4773acbce5f98692bf61154a92204f81x96.jpg","caption":"Twain Taylor"},"url":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/author\/twain\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7597","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7597"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7597\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7597"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7597"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7597"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fusioncharts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=7597"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}