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#redirect[[Figure ground discrimination]]
 
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[[File:Cup or faces paradox.svg|thumb|300px|Profiles/vase]]
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'''Figure-ground organization''' is probably best known by the [[Rubin vase|faces-vase drawing that Rubin described]]<ref>Rubin, E. (1921) ''Visuell Wahrgenommmene''. Kobenhaven: Glydenalske boghandel.</ref> <ref> Rubin, E. (2001). Figure and Ground. In Yantis, S.(Ed.), ''Visual Perception''. (pp. 225-229). Philadelphia, Psychology Press</ref>. This drawing exemplifies one of the key aspects of figure-ground organization, edge-assignment and its effect on shape perception. Notice in the faces/vase drawing below, the perceived shape depends critically on the direction in which the border (edge) between the black and white regions is assigned. If the two curvy edges between the black and white regions are assigned inward then the central white region is seen as a vase shape in front of a black background. No faces are perceived in this case. On the other hand, if the edges are assigned outwards, then the two black profile faces are perceived on a white background and no vase shape is perceived.
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== Details ==
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Figure-ground is used to help artists and designers in composition of a 2D piece. In its basic sense, it refers to a cognitive ability to separate elements based upon contrast, that is, dark and light, black and white. Many times this definition is expanded from a simple perception based on contrast to include abstract (i.e. non-visual) concepts such as melody/harmony, subject/background and positive/negative space.
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The famous [[optical illusion]] image depicting both a vase and two profiles of a human face (the [[Rubin vase]]) is often used to illustrate the concept of figure ground: Depending on whether the white or black color is seen as the figure (forefront) or the ground ([[background]]) the brain will interpret the picture as two different images, and it may be difficult (or even, according to gestalt psychological theory, impossible) to perceive both meaningful images simultaneously. There is a tendency to switch rapidly between both 'readings' of the image.
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The Flag of Canada has also been cited as an example of figure-ground reversal, in which the background edges of the maple leaf can also be seen as two faces arguing.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=l-tHZfp8C5YC&pg=PA27&lpg=PA27&dq=jacques+jack+canadian+flag+illusion&source=web&ots=5_yke7kncg&sig=qVutzvuB1xebgfukWuXgPVisfcg ''Can You Believe Your Eyes?'']</ref>
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Figure-ground reversal may also be used an intentional [[visual design]] technique in which an existing image's foreground and background colours are purposely swapped to create a new image.
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== Types of figure-ground problems ==
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There are three types of figure-ground problems:
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# The figure and the ground compete.
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# The figure should be the ground and the ground should be the figure.
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# The figure and ground create an optical illusion. <ref>Lohr L. Creating Graphics for Learning and Performance: Lessons in Visual Literacy Cleveland, OH: Prentice-Hall, 2007.</ref>
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==See also==
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*[[Form and shape perception]]
 
*[[Pattern discrimination]]
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*[[Spatial perception]]
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==References==
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{{reflist}}
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==External links==
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* [http://clockworkgoldfish.com/figureground/play.php Figure Ground], a puzzle game that plays on the figure-ground illusion.
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[[Category:Perceptual discrimination]]

Latest revision as of 00:17, 10 January 2010

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File:Cup or faces paradox.svg

Profiles/vase

Figure-ground organization is probably best known by the faces-vase drawing that Rubin described[1] [2]. This drawing exemplifies one of the key aspects of figure-ground organization, edge-assignment and its effect on shape perception. Notice in the faces/vase drawing below, the perceived shape depends critically on the direction in which the border (edge) between the black and white regions is assigned. If the two curvy edges between the black and white regions are assigned inward then the central white region is seen as a vase shape in front of a black background. No faces are perceived in this case. On the other hand, if the edges are assigned outwards, then the two black profile faces are perceived on a white background and no vase shape is perceived.

Details

Figure-ground is used to help artists and designers in composition of a 2D piece. In its basic sense, it refers to a cognitive ability to separate elements based upon contrast, that is, dark and light, black and white. Many times this definition is expanded from a simple perception based on contrast to include abstract (i.e. non-visual) concepts such as melody/harmony, subject/background and positive/negative space.

The famous optical illusion image depicting both a vase and two profiles of a human face (the Rubin vase) is often used to illustrate the concept of figure ground: Depending on whether the white or black color is seen as the figure (forefront) or the ground (background) the brain will interpret the picture as two different images, and it may be difficult (or even, according to gestalt psychological theory, impossible) to perceive both meaningful images simultaneously. There is a tendency to switch rapidly between both 'readings' of the image.

The Flag of Canada has also been cited as an example of figure-ground reversal, in which the background edges of the maple leaf can also be seen as two faces arguing.[3]

Figure-ground reversal may also be used an intentional visual design technique in which an existing image's foreground and background colours are purposely swapped to create a new image.

Types of figure-ground problems

There are three types of figure-ground problems:

  1. The figure and the ground compete.
  2. The figure should be the ground and the ground should be the figure.
  3. The figure and ground create an optical illusion. [4]


See also

References

  1. Rubin, E. (1921) Visuell Wahrgenommmene. Kobenhaven: Glydenalske boghandel.
  2. Rubin, E. (2001). Figure and Ground. In Yantis, S.(Ed.), Visual Perception. (pp. 225-229). Philadelphia, Psychology Press
  3. Can You Believe Your Eyes?
  4. Lohr L. Creating Graphics for Learning and Performance: Lessons in Visual Literacy Cleveland, OH: Prentice-Hall, 2007.

External links

  • Figure Ground, a puzzle game that plays on the figure-ground illusion.