Law of Similarity
Elements that share similar visual characteristics (color, shape, size, etc.) are perceived as related and grouped together.
When to Use
Create visual consistency
Use similar styling for related elements to help users understand their relationship and function.
Establish patterns
Apply consistent visual treatment to elements that serve similar purposes or belong to the same category.
Use color and shape for grouping
Leverage color, shape, and size to create visual groups and communicate relationships.
When to Avoid
Don't overuse similarity
Avoid making too many elements similar, as this can reduce visual hierarchy and make important elements less noticeable.
Origin
The Law of Similarity is a Gestalt principle of visual perception that states that elements sharing visual characteristics are perceived as belonging together. This principle helps explain how people naturally organize visual information and has been fundamental to interface design, where consistent styling helps users understand relationships and functionality.