Designing for Online Learning
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Elements of Design: Shape

Use of Shape

By Horizon

» Engagement » Elements » Shape » Use of Shape

Types of Shape: Geometric, Natural, Abstract
Geometric shapes: Children learn how to draw geometric shapes and identify them by the number of sides they have: triangles, squares, pentagons, hexagons, octagons, circles. Geometric shapes are commonly seen in everyday objects, whether used on their own or combined into patterns.
Geometric shapes can be used in design to convey subtle meanings. (Stability, completion, instability, movement)
Some shape and color combinations are distinctive. They are used to give warnings or directions. Designers make use of these sorts of combinations in expected--or unexpected--ways.
Natural shapes: Many shapes come from the natural world around us: flowers, leaves, water drops, stars. All of these organic shapes can be found in nature. This category also includes shapes like paint splatters that are formed by humans. They tend to be more freeform and less regular than geometric shapes.
Basic geometric shapes have straight lines and are perfectly symmetrical. They suggest order and stability; in patterns they evoke ideas of repetition, sameness, and predictability. Natural shapes, on the other hand, tend to have curved, free-flowing line and they tend to be asymmetrical. Some organic shapes exhibit symmetry, but many others are not perfectly symmetrical. They evoke beauty, creativity, artistry, variety, and uniqueness.
Abstract shapes: Everyday objects can be used to represent concepts pictographically. Icons, symbols, stick figures, and emoji are examples of these kinds of abstract shapes. Their pictographic nature makes them a highly useful communication tool to convey meaning without the use of language. What do the symbols convey? What do the signs represent? What do the emoji express? These are powerful design elements that communicate without words.
Use of Line
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