Some images or sounds are given distinct, recognizable shapes, and we might call them motives (or motifs). A motive that repeats and never changes could be a clue about how the piece is organized. One that changes over time could be like a “main character” to follow throughout the work.

You might say a dotted line motive below creates a constant background that makes the cups stand out.

Here, a polygon motive is used as a basic building block for the background and foreground.

Here is the same done musically. Here, the same motive (three short notes and one long note) is varied over time. It is moved high and low, stretched out, and even turned upside down to build a composition with one main motive and little else.