Teaching:TUW - UE InfoVis WS 2005/06 - Gruppe G7 - Aufgabe 1 - Relative Size
Relative Size
the term "relative size" refers to one of the Gestalt Laws of grouping, and describes how we perceive figures of different sizes.
inside
A smaller figure which is placed inside a larger one is percieved as being the object, while the larger figure is seen as the background on which the smaller one rests.
The star on the left looks like it was placed on a circular background.
next to
If two objects placed next to each other do not share the same size, the bigger object is perceived as being the one more important.
When these objects change size relative to each other, this gives the impression of changed importance.
Other trivial examples for static relative sizes are of course the headlines and titles in contrast to normal text on this page.
perspective
A smaller object with the same outline is seen as being farther away than the first one.
Sources
The smaller components of a figure or pattern tend to be perceived as objects while the biggest are perceived as background
http://www.infovis.net/printMag.php?num=19&lang=2
http://www.startphoto.com/learn/art/principles_of_design.htm
http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Modules/MC10220/visper02.html
http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Modules/MC10220/visper06.html
!http://www.uark.edu/misc/lampinen/PSYC2003_PERCEPTION.html
!http://lifesciassoc.home.pipeline.com/instruct/percept/e_theory.htm
http://www.csusm.edu/iits/trc/training/lessons/graphicDesign/d2Perception/2_design_perception.htm
!http://www.sapdesignguild.org/resources/optical_illusions/optical_illusions.pdf
!http://www.ship.edu/~cgboeree/genpsyperception.html
http://www.headscape.co.uk/view_article.asp?PageId=5&ArticleId=54