Method & Process
A Gestalt-Driven
Approach to Design
Without overwhelming you, here is a broad listing of more of the design methods, principles or rationale that I personally use with my design approach. Some of these methods utilize the studies and findings from 'Gestalt Principles' that are related to cognitive psychology and the way that the human mind connects pieces to create structure, groupings and biased meaning in the world. A good designer will understand the underlying principles as to how a human brain perceives the world. Here is a good test, ask a designer to name just one Gestalt Principle and then have them describe what that principle means. If they can't, well, you might want to find one that can if you want to trust them with your projects. I would be more than happy to discuss any of the listed items below and how they relate to my design approach. (not in any specific order)
Structuralism / Similarity / Proximity / Symmetry / Continuity / Perception / Common Region / Closure / Connectedness / Synchrony / Invariance / Cognitive Load / Mental Models / Rule Interpreting / Reductionism / Relevancy / Scanability / Design Systems / Brand Consistency / Look & Feel / Data Chunking / Content Consumption / Direction Awareness / Responsive Enabling / UX Empowerment / Accessibility ADA / User Journey / WCAG Audits / Task Progress / Appropriate Contrast / Hierarchical Content / Color Psychology / Skeuomorphism & Flat Design / Feedback Loops / Prioritization / Focused Decoding / Affordances / Pattern Recognition / Predictive & Associative Relation / Call-to-Action (CTA) / Minimalism / Engaging Captivation / Elegant Solutions / Success Rates / Validation Feedback / The 3 'F's of Design / The 3 'P's of Design Productivity
Designing for the mind.
Simplicity = Sanity
In a world of constant change, we often have just a split second to make sense of what we’re seeing before we interact with it. That’s why visual design isn’t just important—it’s essential. We rely on our visual systems to instantly interpret objects, meaning, and intent. In that instant, our brains are scanning for what matters most to us in that moment.
So what’s doing all the heavy lifting behind the scenes? That’s right—the brain.
Through my background in Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), and Gestalt Cognitive Psychology, I’ve come to a powerful realization: I’m not just designing for people—I’m designing for neurological beings. My true end-user is the brain. And when it comes to solving complex design challenges—especially on the web—I rely on two key tools: Reductionism and Gestalt Principles.
Put simply, I focus on distilling complexity into clarity. I start by defining the most simplified version of an idea, then build upward to create intuitive structure and recognizable groupings. Why? Because people value simplicity they can relate to. One of the most important roles I play as a designer is bringing clarity through thoughtful, purpose-driven visual language.
A great example of reductionist thinking in practice is Brad Frost’s Atomic Design framework—where systems are broken down into smaller, reusable components to build consistent, scalable design.
Why focus so much on simplicity? Because every user comes with limited mental bandwidth—what we call cognitive load. A good design doesn’t overwhelm. It guides.
By using hierarchy, prioritization, and clean composition, I help users get the high-level overview they need while making it easy to dive deeper when they’re ready.
Minimalism often plays a supporting role—but it’s not about stripping things away until they’re sterile. It’s about achieving a balance that feels modern, engaging, and accessible. The goal? To keep attention active, reduce friction, and create a design experience that’s as intuitive as it is enjoyable.
Because great design doesn’t just look good—it thinks smart, too.