Formal Aspects

We identify a point because of its smallness.


A point may appear fairly large when it is confined to a tiny frame of reference, but the same form may appear rather small as a ‘point’ when it is perceived in a much larger frame of reference.


Conceptually, points are also perceived at places where there is a considerable change in direction of lines or when lines intersect or meet.


At a macro level, the shape of point can vary. It gets reduced to just a point when seen from far or in a larger frame of reference.


Points in a frame which are quite segregated from each other are perceived as different points. Points which are close to each other with a common directional relationship are perceived as a line.
 

Group of points having a two dimensional relationship are perceived as a plane.


Repeated replication of points results in representation of textures and volumetric surfaces.
 

Semantic Aspects

A point indicates a position in space. An example of this is a point on a map representing a village.


A point indicates focus of attention. It can act as a centre for converging forms or as a vanishing point within a perspective framework.
 

When there are two points, there is a sense of direction and specific interaction between them. Freely used points create a variety of energies and tensions.

Practical Aspects

Points as pixels add together to represent images on printed surfaces and on computers, mobiles and television displays.