Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Plane and Mass
A plane is simply just a big dot whose outer contour—the sense of its
shape—becomes an important attribute: for example, that it may be angular, rather than
round. Its dotlike quality becomes secondary the larger the plane object becomes. This
change depends on the size of the plane relative to the space in which it exists; in a large
poster, even a relatively large plane object—a square or a triangle, for example—will
still act as a dot if the volume of space surrounding it is much larger than the plane ob-
ject itself. At the point where a plane object enlarges within a format so that its actual
shape begins to affect the shapes of the negative space around it, the character of its out-
er contour, as well as its surface texture, come into question. All such shapes appear
first as flat surfaces; their external contour must be defined by the mind to identify it as
being one kind of shape or another and, subsequently, what meaning that shape might
have. The more active the plane's contour—and more so if the contour becomes con-
cave, allowing surrounding negative space to enter into the dimensional surface defined
by the shape—the more dynamic the shape will appear, and the less it will radiate and
focus in the way a dot, with a simple, undifferentiated contour, does. The relative size
and simplicity of the shape has an impact on its perceived mass, or weight. A large form
with a simple contour retains its dot-like quality and presents a heavy optical weight; a
form with a complex contour, and a great deal of interaction between internal and ex-
ternal positive and negative areas, becomes weaker, more line-like, and exhibits a light-
er mass. As soon as texture appears on the surface of a plane, its mass decreases and
it becomes flatter—unless the texture emulates the effect of light and shade, creating a
perceived three-dimensionality, or volume. Even though apparently three-dimensional,
the plane or volume still retains its original identity as a dot.
As a dot increases in size, its outer contour becomes noticeable as an important as-
pect of its form; eventually, appreciation of this contour supercedes that of its dot-
