Gestalt Principles in Infographic Design: The Case of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup
Chapter from the book:
Çeken,
B.
(ed.)
2026.
Theoretical Applications in Graphic Design 1.
Synopsis
Information design, a branch of graphic design, aims to convey information to the target audience in a clear, understandable, and effective way. To this end, the use of infographics, which are part of the information design universe, is becoming increasingly widespread. Infographics attract the reader's attention and make the information memorable by presenting complex information in a simple and understandable way. Gestalt principles are among the fundamental principles of graphic design and are used to increase the comprehensibility of designs. In the design of infographics, Gestalt principles are important for ensuring visual harmony and facilitating understanding. By facilitating perceptual organization, Gestalt principles help designers achieve visual harmony and improve the readability of their designs. Infographics designed in accordance with these principles convey information to the target audience more effectively and understandably, thus achieving the goals of information design. In this context, the main problem of the research is: "Were the World Cup infographics prepared by Anadolu Agency (AA) designed in accordance with Gestalt principles?" To answer this question, the research also examines: "How many Turkish infographics did AA produce for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup?" The study sought answers to the questions, "Were the AA World Cup infographics designed considering Gestalt principles?" In the first stage of the research, document analysis, one of the qualitative research techniques, was used in the data collection process, and the scanning method was used to access information within the conceptual framework. In the second stage, the basic principles of Gestalt perception theory were examined in the context of infographics, and evaluation criteria were created by reviewing the relevant literature. The infographics prepared by Anadolu Agency within the scope of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar were examined by the researchers in accordance with the principles of figure-ground relationship, proximity, continuity/continuity, complementarity, and similarity. The research is limited to the infographics published by the Turkish News Agency Anadolu Agency for its readers and subscribers regarding the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The results of the research were revealed with selected concrete examples and it was determined that they were designed based on Gestalt perception theory.
