Esiplaan

Esiplaan is an Estonian term used to describe the part of a scene that is closest to the observer or the element that is given priority in a composition. The word is common in discussions of art, photography, film, and design, where it denotes the foreground and its role in creating visual interest, depth, and narrative emphasis. In broader language, esiplaan can also refer to the main issue or feature that should be focused on in a discussion, plan, or project.

In visual media, esiplaan refers to the foreground elements that typically appear in front of the rest of the scene. These elements often receive greater attention through detail, lighting, or color to guide the viewer’s eye. Depth cues such as perspective, shading, and selective focus help establish what belongs to the esiplaan versus what remains in the taust, or background, and contribute to the overall composition and mood.

Metaphorically, esiplaan is used to describe prioritization. When someone says a topic or objective is on esiplaan, they mean it should be foregrounded or addressed as a priority, ahead of other considerations.

The term is widely used in Estonian media, education, and design discourse and is typically paired with taust to contrast foreground and background. In English, esiplaan is commonly translated as foreground, while the figurative use aligns with phrases like “to bring something to the foreground.”