Unit 1: Form and figure-ground relationships
Elements of Design (Semester 2) notes · PTU syllabus (BSTD 203-20)
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Unit summary
The second semester deepens the study of form and figure-ground. This unit shows how forms are combined and repeated, and how the relationship between figure and ground changes meaning in a textile design.
After this unit you can
- Describe geometric, organic and abstract forms
- Explain how repeat creates rhythm
- Distinguish stable, reversible and ambiguous figure-ground relations
- Link natural forms to design development
PTU syllabus topics
Form and repeat, figure and ground — how each element relates to nature and the design process
Block (full drop)
Motif in a straight grid
Formal, orderly
Half-drop
Each column drops half a motif
Flowing, hides seams
Brick
Each row shifts half a motif
Less obvious repeat
Mirror
Motif reflected
Symmetrical, balanced
Topic 1
Form and repeat
Geometric
Circle, square, triangle: regular and man-made
Organic
Leaves, shells, petals: irregular and natural
Abstract
Simplified or non-representational shapes
Positive and negative
Filled shapes and the shapes between them
Repeating a form creates rhythm: regular repeats feel steady, progressive repeats (growing or shrinking) feel dynamic, and alternating repeats feel lively.
Regular repeat gives stability, progression gives movement, alternation gives liveliness
Topic 2
Figure-ground relationships
The eye separates a design into figure (what we notice first) and ground (what lies behind). A designer can control which is which with size, contrast, colour and edge sharpness.
| Relationship | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Stable | Figure clearly stands out against a calm ground | Single motif on a plain field |
| Reversible | Figure and ground can swap as the eye shifts | Black and white optical prints |
| Ambiguous | Equal weight, neither dominates | Tessellated, all-over patterns |
When figure and ground have equal weight the eye alternates between them, which creates visual excitement
Gestalt principles that explain this include proximity (near items group together), similarity (like items group together), closure (the eye completes shapes) and continuity (the eye follows a smooth path).
Key terms
- Form
- Shape of an element, geometric or organic
- Rhythm
- Visual movement created by repetition
- Figure
- The part that attracts attention first
- Ground
- The background of a design
- Gestalt
- Principles of visual perception
Quick revision
- Forms: geometric, organic, abstract.
- Rhythm: regular, progressive, alternating.
- Figure-ground: stable, reversible, ambiguous.
- Gestalt: proximity, similarity, closure, continuity.
Important exam questions
Practice questions written to the PTU exam pattern for this unit's syllabus: short answers (Section A style) and long answers (Sections B and C style).
Short-answer questions
- Q1.Name two organic forms.
- Q2.What is progressive rhythm?
- Q3.Define figure and ground.
- Q4.What is a reversible figure-ground?
- Q5.State the law of closure.
Long-answer questions
- Q1.Explain form and repeat with examples from textiles.
- Q2.Discuss figure-ground relationships and how designers control them.
Stuck on this unit?
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