Figure / Ground

The figure and ground always relate to each other - the figure (form) is seen in relation to what is surrounding it (the ground). Contrast is needed in images, as a white shape on a white background is invisible to the viewer, this means that the figure/form is not there. There should be a balance between the figure and ground as this creates space on the page. 

I created these images on Adobe Photoshop using a letter for each one to experiment using figure and ground in terms of composition. I used the lower case letters i, e and s to create these examples and they suggest a relationship between the background and objects on the page. 

These next two images were created using multiple upper case letters in each design. I created these to portray the positive and negative space across the design and the contrast in the letterforms. They also create a balance between the figure (black letterform) and the ground (white background).