Using What Shapes Represent in Business and Branding Want to learn more about the nuance of abstract shapes? The design of the Olympics pictograms can give you insight into this process! You can create social media designs by clicking the paintbrush icon.Īlthough abstract shapes often have geometric lines in them, they are abstract because they symbolize or reference something else that depends entirely on the context of their use. You can return to the home screen, by clicking the symbol that looks like a home. These are all abstract shapes that reference what is in that menu tab. For example, in our Tailwind dashboard, there are six icons on the left navigation menu. It doesn’t actually matter if the abstract shape looks more organic or geometric – it’s more about the process and the context behind it.Ī good example of an abstract shape is an icon. It’s a mistake many people make, because abstract shapes – and even abstract art, are all about interpretation. You’re probably thinking of organic shapes, which we covered above. When you hear the term abstract shapes, you might think of abstract art and curving shapes that don’t really look like anything in particular. If you use a leaf or a flower shape, your design might evoke the feeling of nature and delicacy. Organic shapes have meaning in design that may differ a little bit depending on the particular shape you’re using.įor example, if you use a wave shape in your design, your viewer will probably associate it with freedom and flow. Unlike geometric shapes, organic shapes look far less solid and precise without stiff corners or straight lines. They tend to be characterized by curving lines and a lack of symmetry. In other words, they often look similar to things found in nature – like plants, animals, and rocks. Organic, or natural shapes in design, are associated with nature. Below, we’ll discuss some common geometric shape meanings behind the most popular shapes you might see in design! So what do geometric shapes mean? The answer depends on the particular shape. You usually don’t find a perfect circle or square in nature – that’s what marks the difference between natural and geometric designs. Geometric shapes have clear, perfect edges that are usually made with tools. Geometric shapes are any shapes that are based on mathematical principles, such as triangles, squares, circles, and polygons. In the following sections, we’ll define the three categories, and overview different shapes and their meaning and symbols in each! Shapes in design are categorized into three main types – geometric shapes, natural (or organic) shapes, and abstract shapes.Įach of these three basic shapes groups and their meanings bring something very different to a design and suggest something subliminal about the brand or company using them. By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll never look at a triangle or a square in quite the same way again!
We’ll also talk about shape symbolism and the meaning of shapes in design. In this post, we’re going over the three categories of shapes. The result? A clarified message that sparks an emotional connection and reaction – all without saying a word! Whether it’s adding playful circles to the background of your latest social media post, or designing a logo that matches your company personality, shape symbolism can help guide the choices you make when communicating with your audience. In fact, shape and form have been carrying meaning for centuries! Visual language was used for storytelling, guidance, and learning for early humans before spoken language evolved – and we continue to understand messages relayed through visual communication to this day. Did you know that everything in design has meaning – even the shapes you use? Design is a visual language that sends messages to your target audience – no words necessary – and even the shapes you use contribute to that message.