figure /ground relationships

Figure/Ground Relationships

1. Shape visual perception

Figure/Ground Relationships

2. Figure (form) seen in relation to ground, background, surroundings A. letters to a pageB. image to its setting

Figure/Ground Relationships

3. Without separation & contrast, form disappears

Figure/Ground Relationships

3. Without separation & contrast, form disappears

Figure/Ground Relationships

Graphic Designers seek a balance between figure and ground

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Figure/Ground Relationships

1. Graphic Designers

A. Bring energy & order to form and space

Figure/Ground Relationships

1. Graphic Designers

B. Build contrasts between form & counterform to construct illustrations, logos, compositions, icons, & patterns to stimulate the eye

Figure/Ground Relationships

Creating figure/ground tension (or ambiguity) adds visual energy to an image or mark

Figure/Ground Relationships

Figure/ground is positive & negative space - at work in all facets of graphic design

Figure/Ground Relationships

Design of logotypes & symbols

Figure/Ground Relationships

Design of logotypes & symbols A. Distill complex meaning into simplified & significant form thrives on the taut reciprocity of figure & ground

Figure/Ground Relationships

In posters, layouts, & screen designs, what is left out frames & balances what is made

Figure/Ground Relationships

In time- based media including multipage books, the insertion & distribution of space across time affects perception & pacing

Figure/Ground Relationships

6. To create & evaluate effective figure/ground tension is an essential skill for graphic designers

7. Carve out white space as you compose with forms

Figure/Ground Relationships

8. Massage the positive and negative areas as you adjust the scale of images & typography

Figure/Ground Relationships

Look at the shapes each element makes & see if the edges frame a void equally appealing

Figure/Ground Relationships

Notice how as the value of a text block becomes darker, its shape becomes more defined when composed with other elements

Figure/Ground Relationships

Recognizing the potency of the ground, designers strive to reveal its constructive necessity

Figure/Ground Relationships

12. Working with figure/ground relationships gives designers the power to create and destroy the form

Figure/Ground Relationships

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Stable, Reversible, Ambiguous

1. Stable figure/ground relationship exists when a form or figure stands clearly apart from its background

2. Something is featured within a setting

Stable, Reversible, Ambiguous

3. Reversible figure/ground A. + & - elements attract attention equally B. Alternating, coming forward, then recedingC. Eye perceives one first as dominant & next as subordinate

Stable, Reversible, Ambiguous

4. Ambiguous figure/ground challenge viewer to find a focal pointA. Figure is enmeshed with groundB. No discernable assignment of dominance