Flat | Meaning & Concept [Explained]

We explain what a plane is, the origin of the term and its meaning in general. Also, what is a plane in geometry, geography and in cinema.

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What is a plan?

The word plane can have many meanings, depending on the area of knowledge in which it is used, but in general it refers to everything that is smooth, flat, without reliefs (elevations or depressions) of any kind. In this it is related to plain, since the origin of this word goes back to Latin planusprecisely translatable as “smooth”, “flat” or “flat”.

However, it is very common to talk about plans in different aspects of human knowledge, sometimes with a clearer meaning and sometimes with a more technical, or specific one. The truth is that everything that we understand by plane will have certain similar characteristics, such as its two-dimensionality (that is, having only two dimensions: height and width) and due to the fact that be a visual representation of a space (such as architectural plans).

This last use of the word is very widespread in design, visual arts, architecture, urban planning, engineering and even navigation, and it is commonly considered synonymous with “sketch”, “map”, “atlas”, etc. In any case, the important thing is to understand the difference between the adjective “flat” (something that is smooth, without reliefs), and the noun “flat” that we have just explained.

Plane in geometry

geometry plane — In the Cartesian plane the two dimensions are represented by the X and Y axes.

This branch of mathematics includes as a plane an ideal geometric object (that is, it exists only as an abstraction), endowed with two infinite dimensions (width and height) and that contains an infinite number of points and lines. It is a fundamental space for geometric representations, widely used in architecture, design and engineering.

Geometric planes are usually named, when there is more than one, with a Greek letter, and are usually visually represented with irregular edges, meaning that it is a virtually infinite surface. Furthermore, the intersection of two planes allows the construction of three-dimensionality.

The plane most commonly used in mathematics is the so-called Cartesian plane. or Cartesian coordinate system, in which its two dimensions are represented by the X axis (width) and the Y axis (height), and are used to represent mathematical functions, find geometric points or visually capture all types of two-dimensional geometric objects .

Plane in geography

geography map — The plans respond to the draftsman's interpretation of the surface represented.

For its part, geography and, more specifically, cartography, understands the plane as a two-dimensional visual representation of a portion of the Earth's surface .

These types of representations are usually made on a much larger scale than architectural plans, although they are very similar to them, and even greater than traditional maps. They are usually drawn according to the artist's interpretation of the Earth's surface represented.

Thus, for example, there are plans of entire cities, plans of urban or road works, or of regions unexploited by human initiative. It is possible to differentiate them from a map in that no projection work is carried out on the plans. since the curvature of the region represented, given its smaller extension, can be considered minimal or negligible.

Plane in the cinema

cinematographic shot cinema closeup — The close-up offers the viewer physical and emotional closeness.

It is also common to use the term shot in cinema, although in this case with a different meaning: a cinematographic shot is called space in which the filming of the human figure takes place that is, the ideal space on which the filming of the film “rests”. These types of spaces are classified according to their relationship with what is being filmed, as follows:

Italian map . Known as “extreme close-up”, it is the greatest possible degree of proximity to what is filmed, which if it were the human body would be limited to the base of the chin to the end of the head.
Foreground . This is a shot very close to the filmed object, which in the case of the human figure, would cover the head, shoulders and a portion of the chest. It is a shot that suggests intimacy, physical and emotional closeness with respect to what was filmed.
Medium shot . Taking a degree of distance from what was filmed, this shot focuses on the human figure from the waist up, as is usually done on television talk shows.
American plane or 3/4 . Variation of the medium shot that emerged in the United States regarding the filming of Westerns (Wild West films), in which a little more of the body had to be shown to be able to see the gun hanging from the cowboys' belt during their pistol duels.
Entire plan . Also called figure or full vision shot, it goes one step further than the previous one, capturing the entire human figure: from the feet to the head. This shot places the viewer in the role of witness to the events.
General plan . In this case, the shot is located at a considerable distance from the object represented, which is why it is usually used to show several people in their entirety, and even part of the scenery that surrounds them.
Great general plan . Ideal for showing scenarios or crowds, it is located at a great distance from what is being filmed, so people are not noticeable, other than as details of a more complex set of images. Therefore, this shot gives greater subjective importance to the context than to the character.