Shape is a fundamental building block of design that conveys meaning, creates visual hierarchy, and adds interest to compositions.
Graphic designers carefully select and arrange shapes to communicate desired impressions and guide the viewer's eye.
Basic Shapes
The simplest and most recognizable shapes each project distinct impressions. Circles and rounded forms feel inclusive, friendly, and communal. Circularity suggests relationships, connections, and wholeness. Squares and rectangles connote stability, order, and structure. Their right angles and straight lines give a formal, grounded feeling. Triangles point outward and feel energetic; they imply direction, action, and tension.
Designers also transform basic shapes in creative ways, bending and distorting their recognizable forms to add uniqueness and personality. For example, rounded rectangles add a softer, more approachable feel than straight-edged squares.
Abstract Shapes
Moving beyond geometric basics, abstract shapes offer designers endless possibilities. Organic, asymmetric, and freeform shapes feel more spontaneous, creative, and dynamic than rigid geometric forms. Flowing lines and natural curves project a lively, informal mood. Geometric shapes like perfect circles, squares, and triangles convey a planned, mathematical, logical sensibility.
Abstract shapes can morph and combine geometrical and organic qualities. For example, a logo may feature a circle with a jagged, lightning-like line slicing through it. This blending of shapes produces new meanings and visual interest.
Scale and Proportion
A shape's scale and proportions significantly impact its design effects. Larger shapes naturally dominate a composition, anchoring the design and feeling weighty. Smaller shapes recede into the background and feel delicate or diminished. Skillful designers leverage scale and proportion to create hierarchy, lead the eye, and communicate emphasis.
For example, an ad may feature a product shot enlarged at the foreground, while surrounding text and imagery is shrunk. The amplified product shape draws immediate attention through its imposing scale. Scale and proportion work together; enlarging a shape beyond suitable proportions warps and distorts its effect. Effective use of shape considers both size and proportions.
Positive and Negative Space
All elements of a composition occupy either positive or negative space. Positive space is taken up by objects, shapes, and forms, while negative space exists around and between them. Positive and negative space depend on each other for their effects.
Shaping negative space is an important design skill. Balancing and aligning positive elements and their surrounding negative space creates cohesion and visual interest. Overlapping shapes carve striking silhouettes from negative space. Designers mind both positive and negative areas to handle white space and breathe life into layouts.
Overlapping Shapes
Layering shapes creates additional dimensions and depth. Designers overlap shapes to add complexity, direct movement, and reveal relationships between elements. Transparency is a special overlapping technique that enables seeing through shapes to detect multiple layers.
Strategic overlaps guide the viewer's eye progressively through the design composition. Smaller shapes layered atop larger forms appear closer to the viewer. Moving shapes downward suggests recession into space. Overlapping establishes front-to-back relationships and creates visual narratives within designs.
The Takeaway
Through thoughtful application of shapes, proportions, scale, and other techniques, graphic designers craft impactful compositions that please the eye.
All while communicating desired themes and messages.
Mastery of shape gives designers immense creative power to bring any project to life visually.
