We are able to differentiate figures as distinct from the backgrounds. This means that we are able to distinguish that a pen or a coffee cup are separate entities which are different from the table upon which they rest.

We perceive some differences between the figure and ground:
-  Figures tend to have more meaning than the background and are easily remembered.
-  Figures appear closer to the ground.
-  Figures shows more brightness contrast than the area perceived as ground.
-  Figures seem to have a shape as opposed to the background, which is relatively formless.

Tessellations:
When figures are repeated alternately with ground (without overlapping) it is called a tessellation.

They are only three polygons that can tessellate a plane without being combined with other polygons. They are 

• Equilateral Triangles
• Squares and
• Regular hexagons. 

In addition to these, any triangle or quadrilateral will tessellate.

Tessellations can be created mainly by three kinds of transformations
• Translations (slides)
• Rotations (turns) and
• Reflections (flips).

Few examples are given below: