concept
German
also: Philosophy & Psychology
Gestalt
/ɡəˈʃtælt/
lit. “shape, form”
The whole is something other than the sum of its parts.
Origin
Gestalt psychology emerged in early-20th-century Germany — Wertheimer, Köhler, Koffka — arguing that perception works on wholes (a melody, a face) before parts. The principle migrated into design, therapy, and product thinking.
Modern usage
Used loosely for the 'overall feel' of a thing — a product, a team, a city. 'The gestalt of the homepage is off' is the kind of thing designers actually say.
Tags
perception
design
psychology