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UI foundationEstablished researchIntermediate

Continuity

Elements arranged along a line or curve are read as a connected sequence.

Definition

The Gestalt principle of good continuation. The visual system prefers to interpret arrangements as continuous paths rather than as abrupt changes of direction, so aligned elements read as related and sequenced.

Established research. Originates in published research and has been replicated. The effect is real. Its size in your product still needs measuring.

On this page
  1. Definition
  2. Where it operates
  3. In practice
  4. Sources
  5. Continue from here

Where it operates

  • Step indicators, where a connecting line turns separate dots into a sequence.
  • Navigation, where a row of items reads as a single set because they share a baseline.
  • Timelines and activity feeds, where a vertical rule binds entries into chronological order.
  • Charts, where a line is read as continuous even across missing data, which is why gaps must be shown explicitly.

In practice

Connected step indicators

Multi-step flows

Adding a connecting rule between step markers converts a row of circles into a legible sequence with a clear direction.

Sources

Where a source establishes something narrower than the popular reading of it, the note says so.

  • Untersuchungen zur Lehre von der Gestalt

    M. Wertheimer, Psychologische Forschung, 1923

Continue from here

Each link says what the connection is, so you can tell a principle from an alternative from a thing people mix this up with.

Applied through

Where this shows up as a concrete interface decision.

Principles behind this

The reasoning this solution is an application of.

Related concept

Connected closely enough to change how you apply this.