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.