Form and Ground are two concepts in design that I had never encountered before this class. Of course, we all have a natural inclination to identify the subject and the background of an image, but these concepts distill the idea even further. In fact, the background of a photograph may end up becoming the form of the image. The article from GD Basics demonstrates this well. Neither form nor ground is dominant or “active” in forming the image; they both play an important role. The form, the figures in the image, balance with the ground, all the surroundings, to form the complete image. Some of the images that demonstrate Gestalt principles are great for seeing this. Incomplete circles create the illusory image of a triangle between them, but which is form and which is ground?
These ideas are most commonly understood in discussing whitespace. For example, on this blog layout, the “ground” white page is essential to forming text blocks and paragraphs. It is the basis for the “form” of the text, regardless of how minimal. This balance is critical to establishing a layout that is easy to read and evokes the right response from the audience.