Shapes
are used to add interest and substance to a piece of graphic work. They can be
used to decorate; they can be symbolic and can be used to create patterns and
textures.
There
are two types of shapes: geometric and organic.
Organic shapes are shapes that can be drawn free hand or shapes found in nature. Organic shapes whether simple or complex produce a natural feel.
It’s
important to keep in mind that shapes are signal visual elements. In design
when we begin to place shapes together, we create a relationship between them.
However simple or complex, it’s this relationship between shapes that can trigger feelings, convey messages, engage an audience, and add emphasis to a portion of a layout and create movement.
When we group or move shapes closer or further apart, we’re
applying the design principle called proximity.
In design geometric and organic shapes can combine together on
many levels to create various design elements we use to communicate.
One example of this is with brand logos. In logos, shape is used in its purest form. The below are some well-known brand logos.
Here
we have a mix of logos where some are made with geometric shapes and some are
made with organic shapes and some with a combination of both. We have some that
are single solid shapes and some that are composed of a few shapes that are
placed near each other. Keep in mind that proximity is playing a crucial role
here in the logos that are made with few shapes. If we were to move some of the
shapes further away or closer, they would have an entirely different look and
feel. So here shape is used as symbol.
Another
example where geometric and organic shapes can come together is in typography.
A
single letter in a typeface is a combination of geometric and organic shapes
which build together to create a larger shape. In this case the letter 'R' we learned from a young age that this shape the letter 'R' has a meaning. When combined with others shapes, for examples, the rest of other alphabhet to form words it will give you a new meaning and when combined with a sequence of words we can form a sentence to pass on a message. Nowhere in design is shape used
more literally to communicate visually than in typography. It's the type of shapes that combines together that give the typeface its distinct look and feel.
In the below example, shape is again being used as a symbol.
The
below are some more examples of how shape is used in design.
Example 1
We have a group of text and a geometric shape in close proximity. This may look simple but when you think about it here we have a group of texts which is made of hundreds of shapes carefully arranged in half a circle and next to it we have a single solid shape as circle shape even though there is no circle shape at all anywhere on this page. It's the careful arrangement of the type and the solid shape in close proximity that suggests the shape of a circle. In design shape is indeed an individual element, but as a group shapes confirm compositions like this and as such be treated as a visual elements. Here shape is being used to create an overall composition to create the shape.
Example 2
We have a page with a number of random shapes. Now if these shapes were scattered we would just have a page of individual shapes. But arranged any particular way with the right proximity we start to see another shape, the number three. Shape is being used to decorate to build, illustrate and hint at another shape on the page.
Example 3
An example of how shape can form a recognizable image as an illustration. This image is made only of polygon shapes. It's the color, size and position of each and every polygon shape that gives it an appearance to look like a Roman statue. Now if we were to separate each shape from each other even a little bit it would no longer look like a Roman statue. This shows how proximity is crucial to represent or communicate in a composition.
Example 4
Shape is used to create something entirely different . We have a number of shapes that appear to be scattered in no particular order. We can see what looks like positive and negative spaces along with other shapes. It's appearance is random and all the shapes seem to blend into each other. There is nothing legible here that stands out only an overall look and feel. Here shape is being used to create a surface image texture.
Example 5
We have what looks like a regular repeating sequence of shape. This is similar to the image texture in that nothing particular stands out. Shape is being used to create a surface pattern texture.
Example 1
We have a group of text and a geometric shape in close proximity. This may look simple but when you think about it here we have a group of texts which is made of hundreds of shapes carefully arranged in half a circle and next to it we have a single solid shape as circle shape even though there is no circle shape at all anywhere on this page. It's the careful arrangement of the type and the solid shape in close proximity that suggests the shape of a circle. In design shape is indeed an individual element, but as a group shapes confirm compositions like this and as such be treated as a visual elements. Here shape is being used to create an overall composition to create the shape.
Example 2
We have a page with a number of random shapes. Now if these shapes were scattered we would just have a page of individual shapes. But arranged any particular way with the right proximity we start to see another shape, the number three. Shape is being used to decorate to build, illustrate and hint at another shape on the page.
Example 3
An example of how shape can form a recognizable image as an illustration. This image is made only of polygon shapes. It's the color, size and position of each and every polygon shape that gives it an appearance to look like a Roman statue. Now if we were to separate each shape from each other even a little bit it would no longer look like a Roman statue. This shows how proximity is crucial to represent or communicate in a composition.
Example 4
Shape is used to create something entirely different . We have a number of shapes that appear to be scattered in no particular order. We can see what looks like positive and negative spaces along with other shapes. It's appearance is random and all the shapes seem to blend into each other. There is nothing legible here that stands out only an overall look and feel. Here shape is being used to create a surface image texture.
Example 5
We have what looks like a regular repeating sequence of shape. This is similar to the image texture in that nothing particular stands out. Shape is being used to create a surface pattern texture.
Shape is what makes up the foundation of any composition. A layout can be simple, made of one or few shapes or complex made by groups of many individual shapes. In design shape can be used in many ways, it’s how they are arranged that determines the visual outcome.
When creating a composition you must always consider how the shapes interact and work together to present and communicate the intended message.
This is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Accordingly, it is difficult to figure out when to end it. But then, this is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Period.
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