Unit 2 Shape Vocab

What is a shape in art and design?

An enclosed area distinguishable from its background and other shapes, having width and height, but no perceived depth.

What defines geometric shapes?

Simple mechanical shapes defined by mathematical formulas, such as triangles, rectangles, and circles.

What are rectilinear shapes?

A subset of geometric shapes made using straight lines typically parallel to horizontal and vertical axes.

What are curvilinear shapes?

Shapes based on the organic, sinuous forms found in nature.

What describes biomorphic shapes?

Blobby shapes reminiscent of single-cell organisms like amoebas, derived from organic forms.

What are amorphous shapes?

Formless and indistinct shapes without obvious edges, such as clouds.

What is form in art?

The apparent or actual solidity or three-dimensionality of a work, encompassing its composition and structure.

How is mass defined in terms of form?

The apparent solidity of a form, illustrating bulk and weight through shading and lighting.

What does volume refer to in art?

The illusion of enclosed space surrounding a shape or form, also indicates the space occupied by the form.

What is a plane in artistic terms?

A continuous surface limited by edges.

What is meant by figure in art?

The recognizable object being depicted, traditionally described as a positive shape.

What is ground in art?

The unoccupied space in a picture, viewed as a negative shape compared to the figure.

What is a silhouette?

The area bounded by the contours of an object that highlights its characteristics using dramatic value contrast.

What does size indicate in a composition?

The physical or relative dimensions of an object, shape, or element.

Define scale in art.

A ratio comparing the proportions or dimensions of a drawn object to those of the original.

What is shifting scale?

The act of altering the size of a shape, form, line, or volume.

What does hieratic scaling signify?

Using size to denote status or importance in art, making subjects larger in relation to minor characters.

What is proportion in art?

A comparison of elements in terms of size, quantity, or degree, often expressed as a ratio.

What is distortion in art?

A deviation from conventional form perceptions, manipulating typical proportions.

Define positive space.

The area where elements combine to create an objective or non-objective figure against the ground.

What is negative space?

The unoccupied area of a composition, often equally or more active than positive space.

What is an implied shape?

A shape suggested by the psychological connection of spaces or edges, creating the visual of a non-physically existing shape.

Define motif in artistic context.

A designed unit that is repeated in a composition, making it a significant feature, akin to a theme in music.

What is pattern in design?

The repetition of an element in a regular sequence with some symmetry.

What is tessellation?

Use of a net of congruent polygons with a repeating motif, following rigid structures like triangles, squares, and hexagons.

What does tiling refer to?

Creating a pattern by placing simple geometric shapes next to each other.

What is equivocal balance in composition?

A composition where one side mirrors the other along an axis, featuring an equal distribution of values.