| IX.
Interpenetration - the exchange of elements between major subdivisions
of a design. Interpenetration is a way of unifying large contrasting areas
of a composition. It can occur when using any visual element such as shape,
line, value, or color. |
Interpenetration Through Shape
|
Figure 1 depicts
a composition which is divided into two large areas. The left half is composed
of geometric shapes while the right half is composed of organic shapes.
There is little unity between the two halves because they have little in
common.
Figure 2 shows how the same composition can be improved through
interpenetration by shape. The left half now contains an organic shape while
the right half contains a geometric shape. Unity between the two halves
has increased since they now share similar shapes. |
| |
 |
 |
| Figure 1 |
Figure 2 |
Interpenetration Through Value
|
Figure 3
depicts a composition divided into a light area and a dark area. There is
a little unity between the two contrasted halves.
Figure 4 shows how the same composition can be improved through
interpenetration by value. More unity now exists in this composition because
the two halves share the same values. Interpenetration through value could
also be refered to as a figure/ground reversal. (See figurelground relationshipfigure
7). |
|
 |
 |
| Figure 3 |
Figure 4 |
