Exercise 2: Figure/Ground Relationship Studies.

Description

Using basic shapes (rectangle, circle, letter form) create three sets of studies showing the three figure/ground relationships (stable, reversible, ambiguous). You will end up with nine (9) compositions total:

Rectangle- Stable
Rectangle- Reversible
Rectangle- Ambiguous

Circle- Stable
Circle- Reversible
Circle- Ambiguous

Letter Form- Stable
Letter Form- Reversible
Letter Form- Ambiguous

Materials

Nine 5" x 5" bristol board squares (preferably not smooth texture)
Black Cason Paper (for cutting out your shapes)
X-axto knife and blades
Cutting Mat
Metal Ruler
Rubber Cement

Process

1. Start by laying out multiple compositions using only the selected element (rectangles, circles, letter forms). Do this enough times (at least 10 attempts for each composition) to come up with a good composition. You may overlap the shapes, and may use both black and white shapes of any size. In each composition, the shapes need to be of the same family, ie. only rectangles, only circles, only letter forms. 

The goal for your compositions it that they illustrate each of the figure/ground relationships, and that they have good working formal qualities with visual interest. Please pay attention to details. 

2. Pick the best examples from each series (ex. square- stable) and apply that design to the 5 inch x 5 inch Bristol board. Use the Canson paper to cut out your final complex shapes (the result of overlapping the simple shapes from step 1). 

3. Rubber cement (gluing both surfaces) all black paper to the white Bristol board. Again, pay attention to craftsmanship. These should look like they were printed out. Super clean. 

4. Bring your final nine (9) compositions to class for critique. In addition, please post all 9 to your blog under "Assignment 4: Figure Ground Studies". These are due according the the schedule below.

Schedule/ Due Dates

Due Wednesday, Jan 24th- Rectangle Thumbnails

30 Rectangular composition thumbnails (4" x 4" each) on heavy white paper. Includes 10 thumbnails for each F/G relationship: 10 Stable, 10 Reversible, and 10 Ambiguous. Try as many interesting compositions as you can using the basic elements and principles of design. Your compositions must be made using only rectangles.

Notes: You can do these with cut paper, sharpie, or on a computer. If done on a computer, they need to be printed out. Either way, the compositions need to be exactly 4" x 4" each. 30 total. Due at start of class.  In addition to F/G relationship, play with balance and be sure to have some examples of each type of balance (symmetrical, asymmetrical, radial, and crystallographic).

Due Monday, Jan. 29th- In Process Review (Rectangles must be done)

The Set of F/G studies using rectangles must be completely finished. There will be one example showing each of the following F/G relationships: Stable, Reversible, Ambiguous.

In addition, you need 30 thumbnails each for F/G relationship studies using circles and also using letter forms. That's 60 thumbnails total (same process as with the rectangle studies above).

Rectangular studies must be mounted on mat board ready for review at start of class. 
Circle studies (30 thumbnails) and Letter Form studies (30 thumbnails) must be printed or drawn on paper and hung on wall. 

• Quick Peer Critique will begin at 10:45am. 
• Rectangle studies mounted on matboard with 2" boarders. 
• In-Class work time on other two sets of compositions. 

Due Wednesday, Jan 31th-  Rectangle, and Circle studies complete. 

All three sets of F/G Studies- Rectangular, Circular, and Letter Form compositions, each with an example of (Stable, Reversible, Ambiguous F/G relationship). 9 total. All mounted on matboard with 2" boarders.

• Critique will begin at 10:45am. 
• You will have 15 mins to pin your work up on the walls. 
• Please pin them straight and evenly spaced. 

 Due Wednesday, Jan 31th-  Rectangle, Circle and Letter-form studies all complete.  

• Critique will begin at 10:45am. 
• You will have 15 mins to pin your work up on the walls. 
• Please pin them straight and evenly spaced.