figure-ground
Object versus surroundings
Figure-ground is a principle from visual perception describing how we distinguish an object (the figure) from its surrounding context (the ground).
The concept originated in Gestalt psychology, where researchers noted that perception automatically separates what we focus on from what recedes into background.
This perceptual organization extends beyond vision: in music, a melody is figure against the ground of accompaniment; in conversation, speech stands out against ambient noise.
The figure-ground relationship in that painting keeps shifting depending on where you look.
Integrated perceptual whole
- segregationForced separation by group
- contourBounding line of shape
- boundaryLine marking a limit
- silhouetteFilled-in outline shape
outline · contrast · differentiation · edge · shape · form · closure · proximity
Arranged elements forming whole
- hierarchyRanked authority structure
- contrastNotable difference between things
- whitespaceUnprintable gap characters
- negative spaceEmpty area around forms
focal point · typography · logo · layout · readability · emphasis · balance · visual weight
Focused mental awareness
- focusConcentrated attention point
- selectionChosen item or items
- salienceState of standing out
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
consciousness · visual search · selective · spotlight · filtering · perception · cognitive · phenomenal
Pleasing sequence of notes
- accompanimentSupplementary support element
- textureSurface tactile quality
- voicingExpressing aloud
- counterpointSimultaneous independent melodies
harmony · separation · layering · auditory · stream · masking · prominence · orchestration
Able to be undone
- ambiguousHaving multiple interpretations
- bistableHaving two stable states
- negative spaceEmpty area around forms
- opticalOf vision or light
Escher · duck-rabbit · alternation · flip · switch · interpretation · hidden image · camouflage
gestalt
Integrated perceptual whole
- segregationForced separation by group
- contourBounding line of shape
- boundaryLine marking a limit
silhouette · outline · contrast · differentiation · edge · shape · form · closure · proximity · visual field
composition
Arranged elements forming whole
- hierarchyRanked authority structure
- contrastNotable difference between things
- whitespaceUnprintable gap characters
negative space · focal point · typography · logo · layout · readability · emphasis · balance · visual weight · dominance
attention
Focused mental awareness
awareness · consciousness · visual search · selective · spotlight · filtering · perception · cognitive · phenomenal · subjective
melody
Pleasing sequence of notes
- accompanimentSupplementary support element
- textureSurface tactile quality
- voicingExpressing aloud
counterpoint · harmony · separation · layering · auditory · stream · masking · prominence · orchestration · blend
reversible
Able to be undone
- ambiguousHaving multiple interpretations
- bistableHaving two stable states
- negative spaceEmpty area around forms
optical · Escher · duck-rabbit · alternation · flip · switch · interpretation · hidden image · camouflage · puzzle
figure-groundundifferentiated
Not separated into types
camouflage · merged · indistinct · amorphous · formless
ground, figure, background, figures, figured, figuring, figurine, groundless, disfigured