Figure Ground

This week we are working on understanding Figure Ground Relationships in a design composition.

Tonight I will give out the figure ground assignment that is posted on my website.

Lecture Notes for tonights class:
Shape is clearly defined positive area.




Objective Shape: Natural world



Subjective Shape: that of the mind



Types of Shape



Amorphous—formless indistinct



Biomorphic organic



Geometric—related to geometry



Rectilinear

Circular



Structural Ambiguity



When one cannot tell which is he figure and which is the ground.



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.


If you missed tonights class, please fill  in Crit form for your participation grade on your dynamic lines assignment.