Lecture Notes on Shape and Figure Ground

Shape is an area that stands out from space next to or around it due to a defined or implied boundary or because of a differences of value, color or texture.

Actual shape: clearly defined positive area of a shape
Objective shape: based on reality
Subjective shape: based on reality of artist
Implied shape: psychologically suggested. Shape does not physically exist but helps to close the gestalt.

Types of Shape
amorphous: no clearly defined shape: not actual, abstract
biomorphic: also known as organic shape. Shapes we find in nature
Geometric Shape: mathematical shapes found in geometry
rectilinear shape: having right angles and a straight edge
picture plane; two dimensional support of shape having height and width
circular shape: equal distant shape from central point
decorative shape: ornamentation or enrichment of surface
plastic: illusion of 3rd dimensional art forms such as architecture, sculputure
3 dimension: having height, width and depth
mass is appearnce of standing out from space surrounding object.
volume is a measurable area of efined and occupied shape
perspective is: a mechanical system for measuring illusion of space

Gestalt: mind tends to want to group objects together. Relationship exists between parts to create a closed gestalt or whole. Our eyes wants to group objects together an close the gestalt.

Artists begin with 2 dimensional shape known as picture plane.

Controlled Tension:
forces that seek balance by controlling tension through use of elements. These elements seek balance and balance distributes weight evenly to control the tension.

Figure Ground
The figure is the positive area of the picture
The ground is the negative.
Rules of Thumb:
1. The ground is usually larger and simpler than the figure.
2. The figure usually appears to be on top or in front of the ground.
3. Convex shapes tend to be figure and concave shapes tend to be ground.
4. Unbroken shapes tend to become figures and segmented shapes tend to become ground.
5. What dominates the eye is considered the figure.
6. Darker colors tend to form figure.
7. Figure and ground of the same shape become ambiguous.
8. Strong figure/ground relationships give us simplicity and weak figure/ground relationships give us ambiguity

Structured Ambiguity happens when one cannot differentiate between the figure and the ground.
Using the element of shape shapes in graphic design can seem very basic, but there are underlying meanings and complex ways of using shape that are important to remember. Shapes don’t have to be just squares, circles and triangles. Quick points to remember about the element of shape: