The Pocket Universal Principles of Design

049 Figure-Ground

Elements are perceived as either figures (objects of focus) or ground (the rest of the perceptual field).

• One of the Gestalt principles of perception.

• The human perceptual system separates stimuli into figure elements or ground elements. Figure elements receive more attention and are better remembered than ground elements.

• Elements below a horizon line or in the lower regions of a design are more likely to be perceived as figures.

• Elements above a horizon line or in the upper region are more likely to be perceived as ground.

• Increase the recall of key elements by making them figures in a composition. Clearly differentiate between figure and ground elements to focus attention and minimize perceptual confusion.

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