#3 organic shapes how to#
#3 organic shapes full#
#3 organic shapes professional#
#3 organic shapes series#

#3 organic shapes how to#

How to Use Shapes in Your Photography and Design Projects Glyphs, icons, and symbols are also abstract shapes, and might have elements of both geometric and organic forms in their shape.Ībstract shapes are often immediately and universally recognizable, making them useful for designs that require instant comprehension such as signage, keyboard symbols, or website icons. Abstract ShapesĪbstract shapes are simplified versions of real-life organic forms.Ī stick figure is a universally-recognizable abstract shape representing a person.

Because of their asymmetry, organic shapes often convey a sense of creativity and spontaneity. As a result, these free-form shapes feel familiar and comforting. Organic or natural shapes mimic the form of most objects in nature, such as the imperfect, curved shapes of rocks, clouds, or trees.Įarly humans would have had more familiarity with organic shapes than geometric ones. Arrows and triangles are good examples of this. They can also direct the eye with strong edges that appear to point. They can communicate efficiency, discipline, and solidity. Geometric shapes mimic the structure of built environments and suggest pattern and order. While circles are curved, their symmetry and dimensional perfection places them alongside other geometric shapes. Triangles, squares, rectangles, and diamonds are common geometric shapes.

#3 organic shapes series#

Geometric shapes are made up of a series of straight lines combined into a form that often features symmetrical elements and hard edges. While things in the world around us are often made up of groups of forms combined together, we can dissect these forms into three broad categories of shape: They are often used in design to convey nature-themed concepts or to demonstrate a sense of unity and perfection. Often associated with sacredness, religion, and eternity, circles have never shed their mysterious celestial ties. By assigning these a circular shape, all circles take on some of the psychological and cultural baggage of these round forms that would have been an ever-present feature of our earliest ancestors’ lives. Image by contributor Aphelleon.Ī simple example would be the moon and sun. By assigning all things a “shape,” over time, we’ve built up a detailed encyclopedia of visual forms that have associated characteristics and psychological meanings. This incessant need to categorize and simplify has extended to how we perceive our visual environment. This inescapable need to define all things is an evolutionary coping mechanism, allowing us to foster structure and order in our individual lives and wider societies.

#3 organic shapes full#

What Are Shapes and Why Are They Important in Imagery?Īlthough the world is full of irregularities, differences, and uniqueness, the human mind has evolved to categorize and group everything within it. Read on to discover how you can use shapes to make your images and designs more impactful, as well as more about the fascinating psychology of shape-from how triangles can convey both aspiration and instability, to how organic shapes can boost the creative power of your designs.

#3 organic shapes professional#

Whether you opt for geometric squares or organic pebbles, forms can have a huge effect on the overall impact of a design-a technique that’s often used in professional logo design to foster brand perception and memorability. When designers and photographers become aware of the psychological impact of shapes, they’re able to define how their images are received by viewers. Stemming from our basic need to structure and categorize the world around us, shapes have become the visual language that informs our emotional response to imagery. Let’s explore how you can use shapes to make your images and designs more impactful, and learn more about the fascinating psychology of shape.Īs the building blocks of how we perceive forms and objects, shapes are intrinsic to how we respond to visual content.