Elements of Design

Categories of Shape & Form

There are four categories of shape and/or form configurations:

• Geometric (circles and spheres, squares and cubes, triangles and pyramids, etc. which are common in architecture and manufactured items)
• Organic (seashells, flowers, leaves, etc. which are common in nature, and have characteristics that are free-flowing, informal, and irregular.)
• Dynamic (shapes that appear moving and active)
• Static (shapes that appear stable and resting)

Shapes may be combinations of these categories. The shape of a leaf, for example, can be organic and dynamic as it apparently falls from the tree. It can be organic and static if it simply "hangs on" during a calm day!

Shapes and forms must reflect the intent of the message. For example, if the intent is to convey a sense tranquillity, harsh angular shapes and forms would confuse the viewer. A sense of tranquillity is more likely to be conveyed by using flowing organic shapes.