Elements of Design

SHAPE/FORM
AKA - How to manipulate graphic
tools in a Way that the Human
Eye Likes to View Them
Focus Statement SHAPE/FORM
Look at the following slides with the intentions of focusing
on:

what the YES examples have in common
how the YES examples differ from the NO
examples

Dont focus on the subject of the picture; rather, focus on
the effect that the image has on you with regards to you
recognizing how shape/form is used in each composition.
SHAPE FORM
SHAPE FORM
SHAPE FORM
SHAPE FORM
SHAPE FORM
FORM SHAPE
Can you define SHAPE/FORM yet?
Shape is the closed 2-dimensional item defined by a line or an edge
A shape is perceived as a distinct visual unit separated from the ground
and background against which it is seen
A shape may be as simple as a circle, triangle or square, or as complex
as the silhouette of a tree, a dog or a human face, as examples.
Designers scan the environment for interesting shapes or parts of
shapes, and often invent their own. At times, the spaces between
shapes provide intriguing shapes, called negative shapes.
Form is a shape translated into 3-dimensional volume. While a circle is
a shape, its related form is the sphere.
Fundamental forms are solid, closed entities that exhibit weight and
mass.


In the previous YES examples, SHAPE/FORM played
a pivotal role. They helped with the creation of the
unified composition by occupying space or by creating
negative space.

Does this use SHAPE/FORM
effectively?
This flower is an interesting
use of form. It is 3-D, and has
depth, textural interest, plus
its physical outline is not
typical, which creates visual
interest.

Is this an example of good use of
SHAPE/FORM?
This example uses both
2D (the flatness of the
black trunks, the
flatness of the
foreground leaves) and
the overlapping of the
shapes creates depth
and a 3D effect.
SHAPE/FORM?
The droplets are in the shape of
circles, so the outline of each form
is a shape of a circle. However,
the predominant look here is of 3D,
from the bubble look to the
droplets. Because not much light
is reflected in them, they look
flatter (more 2D) than you would
expect, but the reflection within
makes them 3D. Definitely has
depth, which is the main distinction
between 2D and 3D. Always ask
yourself, Is there depth here (3D)
or not (2D)?
A strong example of
SHAPE/FORM?
Many shapes here.
There is almost no 3D
effect, except for the
lightest shading, so this
is far more 2D than 3D.
However, the basket
does create the illusion
of having a front and
back, so there is a mild
3D effect. Therefore,
both form and shape
are present, but shape
is predominant.
SHAPE/FORM?
Despite the cartoony look
of the droplets of water,
you can see that some
are further in the distance
(there is depth), plus each
droplet has 3Dness to it
becaues of the rounding
of the edges. They are
flatter than the average
droplet photographed, but
they are more form than
shape. Shape here is
strictly the outline.