Thought of figure & ground

To discuss the relationship between positive and negative shapes, we should define what is shape exactly.

A shape is created when:
1, A line connects to enclose an area
2, An area of color or texture is defines by a clear boundary
3, An area is surrounded by shapes.

When shape type one, or type two is created, which is positive shape, type 3 shape is created automatically, which will be the negative shape around.

The argument is about the relationship between the positive shape and negative surrounding. As we know, when the positive shape which is figure, and negative shape which is ground, are equally well designed, the shapes becomes engaged.

Sometimes positive shape and negative shape engage to create anther kind of force, which is figure/ground reversal. Depends on how designer compose the size, position, value, volume of the shapes, and also depends on reader’s personalities, sometimes positive shape becomes focal point, and sometimes negative shape becomes focal point, which makes it become positive, or figure, while positive shape becomes ground.