Class 3 | More Figure Ground

Review

Students break into groups (Shape/Positive/Negative Group, Picture Plane/Frame Group, Figure-Ground Group, Unity/Economy Group) to research and discuss your group’s concept.

  • Designate a speaker and an idea recorder
  • Make a free-flowing list of ideas related to your concept.
  • Refine concept definition in your group’s own words.
  • Present definition and at least 2 examples of the principle or element discussed (student work assignment, book, magazine or online image)
  • Students present results to class.

The Elements: basic components used as part of any composition, independent of the medium.

  • Point: An element that has position (x,y), but no extension or mass. A series of points forms a line, a mass of points becomes a shape.
  • Line: An series of points, which has length and direction. It can be the connection between two points, the space between shapes, or the path of a moving point. A closed line creates a shape.
  • Shape: Created by line (contour) or a grouping of points, it is an area that is separate from other areas, defined by its perimeter.
    • Organic shape is one that resembles the flowing contours of an organism.
    • Geometric shapes,  such as circles, triangles or squares often have precise, uniform measurements.

The Principles: basic assumptions that guide the design practice.

  • Picture Plane: The imaginary plane represented by the physical surface of a two-dimensional image, comparable to the glass through which one sees a view beyond a window. Artists use relative position on the picture plane to create the illusion of space, such as foreground, middleground, background.
  • Picture Frame: The outermost limits of the picture plane. This boundary (rectangle, square, circle) is represented by the edges of the paper or the margins drawn within.
  • Figure (positive space): The shape of a form that serves as a subject in a composition.
  • Ground (negative space): The space surrounding a positive shape or form; sometimes referred to as ground, empty space, field, or void.
  • Figure/Ground: The relationship between positive and negative space.
    • Obvious (stable):  A figure/ground relationship that exists when a form stands clearly apart from its background.
    • Reversal: A figure/ground relationship that occurs when positive and negative elements are equal and alternate foreground and background dominance.
    • Ambiguous: A figure/ground relationship that challenges the viewer to find a point of focus. The figure and ground seem interchangeable.
  • Unity: Refers to the cohesive quality that makes a composition feel complete and finished. Unity gives it the feeling that all the elements relate to each other in a compatible way to form a unified whole.
  • Economy: Using only the elements necessary to communicate an idea, emotion, or formal concept. Less is more.

Lab

Assignment #1 | A View from My Window | Figure-Ground Relationships

  1. Critique of Inked Thumbnails (using vocabulary above)
    • Individual meetings with Professor.
  2. Demonstration: Large, cut paper compositions
    • Materials Needed: 1 sheet 14×17″ Bristol, black paper, scissors, exacto knife, glue, ruler/t-square, pencils, tape.
  3. Work in class.

Homework

  1. Complete Assignment #1: Large, cut paper compositions. See Assignment page for details.
  2. Materials needed next class: 1 sheet 14×17″ Bristol, pencils (wide range from 4h to 4B), inking pens.
  3. Your favorite song or piece of music on CD.