Design Elements - Shape

A shape is defined as an area that stands out from the space next to or around it due to a defined or implied boundary, or because of differences of value, color, or texture.

A shape is formed when a line encloses an area.

Shapes can vary endlessly and can suggest physical form and direct eye movement.

Simple shapes are remembered and understood more easily than complex shapes.

Here's an exercise for you to try.

Without looking back at the previous screen, see if you can draw each of the shapes on a piece of paper. Give yourself a few minutes, then scroll down to see the shapes again and check how you did.

Here are the two shapes again. How did you do? The majority of people will say it was easier to remember the simple shape than the complex one.

Shapes define figure/ground relationships.

Shapes serve many purposes in visual images. Value, texture, and color help us see different shapes. Next is value.