There are multiple ways continuation can be used. 
- Differing between primary and secondary navigation
- Similar elements along lines
- Navigation bars

Continuity in Interaction Design

The Gestalt principle of good continuation (the law of continuity) can be illustrated by an arrangement of two lines of diagonal dots that cross in the middle to form the general shape of an 'X'. Based on this principle, an observer naturally perceives the visual pattern as two distinct, continuous, and intersecting lines rather than as disconnected segments, separate angles, or 'V' shapes meeting at the center.

Example of Good Continuation: Crossing Dotted Lines

The law of continuity, also referred to as good continuation, is a Gestalt principle suggesting that individuals are more prone to perceive lines as continuous and smoothly flowing rather than as disconnected, jagged, or broken segments.

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Google

The Gestalt Principles of Design are guidelines that assist in creating user-centered design. They were first proposed after studying human perception and behavior. These principles can apply to all elements of design, including interaction and interface design. 

Gestalt Principles of Design

Influential within the study of sensation and perception, Gestalt principles explain how humans naturally organize sensory stimuli into meaningful patterns. These principles, which include the figure-ground relationship, grouping by proximity or similarity, the law of good continuation, and closure, describe the innate tendencies of the brain to perceive wholes rather than just collections of individual parts.

Gestalt Principles of Perceptual Organization

"What are Gestalt Principles?" Interaction Design. https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/gestalt-principles

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

The law of proximity states that "things that are close together appear to be more related than things that are spaced farther apart." 

The Law of Proximity

The law of similarity states that "when things appear to be similar to each other, we group them together and we also tend to think they have the same function."

The Law of Similarity

The law of common region states that when objects are located within the same closed region, we perceive them as being grouped together. This is very similar to the law of proximity, however it happens in a closed area. 

The Law of Common-Region

The law of focal point states that "whatever stands out visually will capture and hold the viewer’s attention first."

The Law of Focal Point

The Law of Continuity

 The closure principle states that "Individuals perceive objects such as shapes, letters, pictures, etc., as being whole when they are not complete." People look for a recognizable pattern, and we fill in the gaps.

The Law of Closure

The figure-ground principle states that "people instinctively perceive objects as either being in the foreground or the background." The user knows that the foreground is more important than the background.

The Law of Figure-Ground

The symmetry principle states "Symmetric elements give the user the feeling that everything is ordered." This helps a user feel more comfortable using a website. 

The Law of Symmetry

The common fate principle states that "elements moving towards the same direction are perceived as more related than those moving in different directions, or not moving at all."

The Law of Common Fate

According to the principle of similarity, humans tend to group together objects or stimuli that share similar characteristics. This perceptual grouping occurs in our visual fields, allowing us to organize and make sense of complex scenes.

The Principle of Similarity

The principle of closure is a Gestalt principle stating that individuals tend to organize their visual perceptions into complete, unified objects rather than perceiving them as a disjointed series of individual parts.

Learn Before

Related

Learn After