The figure-ground principle captures the idea that the visual field is normally divided into two parts, figure and ground. The figure-ground principle is very much a part of our everyday experience. If we notice a book on a table, we see the book as a figure and the table as its ground. The edge that divides the book from the table bounds the book but not the table. The table is assumed to continue under the book. We would be very surprised if, when we lifted the book, we discovered a hole in the table the size and shape of the book.

We might be tempted to view figure and ground as a relationship between just two levels. However, what serves as ground in one relationship can serve as figure in another. The table that was ground for the book may also be a figure that has a whole room as its background. Figure-ground relationships, then, may involve multiple levels. In addition, the figure-ground effect does not require the viewer to look at already meaningful figures in order for the phenomenon to operate. It works for meaningless blobs such as clouds as well as for meaningful objects like traffic signs.

Document designers would profit from evaluating the possible figure-ground relations in their texts because these relationships are likely to effect the order in which people read the text and graphics. Keep in mind that both blank space and text can act as ground. Because figures are by definition in the focus of attention, they tend to be examined first. If readers start with the “wrong” information, they may miss the information they need most, assume it is not there, or conclude it is too much of a hassle to find and give up. Anticipating how people will interpret figure-ground relations is important for document designers.