Expressive Properties of Shape

Communicating Ideas through Shape with Associations An important thing to remember is that artists look for associations they can make with shapes in order to communicate their ideas. An important thing to remember is that artists look for associations they can make with shapes in order to communicate their ideas. The examples on the pages of this slide presentation are only a few examples to help you get a feel for how artists do this. The examples on the pages of this slide presentation are only a few examples to help you get a feel for how artists do this.

Circles Never Ending - A circle doe not have a beginning or an end. This inherent property can be used to symbolize eternal, endless, immortality, ageless, etc. Never Ending - A circle doe not have a beginning or an end. This inherent property can be used to symbolize eternal, endless, immortality, ageless, etc. Full - Things such as balloons or pillows become rounded as they are filled. Thus a circle can suggest complete, whole, opulent, etc. Full - Things such as balloons or pillows become rounded as they are filled. Thus a circle can suggest complete, whole, opulent, etc. Perfect – In a true circle the edge or line is always equidistant from the exact center. This quality can represent complete, whole, exact, flawless, immaculate, absolute, etc. Perfect – In a true circle the edge or line is always equidistant from the exact center. This quality can represent complete, whole, exact, flawless, immaculate, absolute, etc. Soft – A circle is made up of a curving line. This quality might represent smooth, graceful, feminine, comfort, etc. Soft – A circle is made up of a curving line. This quality might represent smooth, graceful, feminine, comfort, etc.

Balance – An ellipse has much the same qualities as a circle. However, because its shape is longer and more symmetrical, it may communicate equilibrium, stability, symmetry, etc. Balance – An ellipse has much the same qualities as a circle. However, because its shape is longer and more symmetrical, it may communicate equilibrium, stability, symmetry, etc. Ellipse Harmony – An ellipse has a long and short axis. Its shape appears harmonious. It can suggest accord, grace, unison, elegance, etc. Harmony – An ellipse has a long and short axis. Its shape appears harmonious. It can suggest accord, grace, unison, elegance, etc.

Oval Egg – An oval is similar to an ellipse, but it looks more like an egg (ovum) and can suggest such things as nature, life, mortality, birth, inherent, etc. Egg – An oval is similar to an ellipse, but it looks more like an egg (ovum) and can suggest such things as nature, life, mortality, birth, inherent, etc. Hope – During the Renaissance the oval was the symbol for hope in Jesus Christ and the resurrection. It can suggest peace, solace, comfort, etc. Hope – During the Renaissance the oval was the symbol for hope in Jesus Christ and the resurrection. It can suggest peace, solace, comfort, etc.

Concentric Circles Target – Concentric circles are like targets and can suggest such things as aim, focus, concentrate, condense, surround, enclose, encircle, entrance, hypnotize, etc. Target – Concentric circles are like targets and can suggest such things as aim, focus, concentrate, condense, surround, enclose, encircle, entrance, hypnotize, etc. Tunnel – Concentric circles sometimes suggest lines of a tunnel or tube. (Some people get a feeling of falling into a pit or hole.) Tunnel – Concentric circles sometimes suggest lines of a tunnel or tube. (Some people get a feeling of falling into a pit or hole.) Hypnotic – They can suggest restriction, confinement, claustrophobia, entombment, tension, stress, nightmare, etc. Hypnotic – They can suggest restriction, confinement, claustrophobia, entombment, tension, stress, nightmare, etc. Motion – They can appear to rotate, spin, swirl, reel or revolve and can portray a sense of being dizzy, light- headed, etc. Motion – They can appear to rotate, spin, swirl, reel or revolve and can portray a sense of being dizzy, light- headed, etc.

Star or Sunburst Sun – A sun or star radiating from a center can remind us of the rays of the sun and can suggest radiant energy, warm, sunny, mild, summery, enthusiastic, explosion, surprise, fireworks, etc. Sun – A sun or star radiating from a center can remind us of the rays of the sun and can suggest radiant energy, warm, sunny, mild, summery, enthusiastic, explosion, surprise, fireworks, etc. Flower – The rays of a sunburst radiate from the center and are like the petals of a flower. They can suggest organic growth of such things as a flower, blossom, or bouquet. Flower – The rays of a sunburst radiate from the center and are like the petals of a flower. They can suggest organic growth of such things as a flower, blossom, or bouquet. Explosion – Irregular shapes can sometimes appear like fireworks, a flare, a fire, etc. Explosion – Irregular shapes can sometimes appear like fireworks, a flare, a fire, etc.

Amorphous Weak – Things such as jelly and amoebas have amorphous, undefined or formless shapes. Amorphous shapes can suggest things such as feeble, flimsy, faint, etc. Weak – Things such as jelly and amoebas have amorphous, undefined or formless shapes. Amorphous shapes can suggest things such as feeble, flimsy, faint, etc. Liquid – Paint or ink spills typically have amorphous shapes and can suggest accident, stain, spill, runny, flood, etc. Liquid – Paint or ink spills typically have amorphous shapes and can suggest accident, stain, spill, runny, flood, etc. A Ghost – Ghosts or apparitions are typically portrayed as having amorphous or formless shapes. Phantoms, spirits, and spooks can have amorphous shapes. They can appear to flow, run wiggle, move creep, quiver, etc. A Ghost – Ghosts or apparitions are typically portrayed as having amorphous or formless shapes. Phantoms, spirits, and spooks can have amorphous shapes. They can appear to flow, run wiggle, move creep, quiver, etc.

Complex Natural – Many natural objects have complex shapes. They can suggest reality, actuality, fact, not a dream, verity, actual existence, etc. Natural – Many natural objects have complex shapes. They can suggest reality, actuality, fact, not a dream, verity, actual existence, etc. Complicated – Complex shapes are made of many smaller shapes and can look difficult, hard to manufacture, elaborate, intricate, etc. Complicated – Complex shapes are made of many smaller shapes and can look difficult, hard to manufacture, elaborate, intricate, etc.

Irregular Ragged – Frayed fabric, broken glass, or ripped paper can have an irregular edge. Shapes with irregular edges or outlines can suggest warn, broken, cracked, ripped, decayed, deteriorated, etc. Ragged – Frayed fabric, broken glass, or ripped paper can have an irregular edge. Shapes with irregular edges or outlines can suggest warn, broken, cracked, ripped, decayed, deteriorated, etc. Delicate – They might also have the appearance of complexity, perplexity, intricate, etc. Delicate – They might also have the appearance of complexity, perplexity, intricate, etc.

Squares Honest – The phrase “square deal” is used to mean an honest deal; thus a square can suggest being correct, having integrity, etc. Honest – The phrase “square deal” is used to mean an honest deal; thus a square can suggest being correct, having integrity, etc. Strong – A square or rectangle is a common shape for buildings; thus a square can suggest solidity, security, stability, firmness, etc. Strong – A square or rectangle is a common shape for buildings; thus a square can suggest solidity, security, stability, firmness, etc. Confinement – Fences often enclose a square or rectangular area; thus a square can suggest being confined, having limits, etc. Confinement – Fences often enclose a square or rectangular area; thus a square can suggest being confined, having limits, etc. Earth – The square was a symbol for the earth during the Renaissance. Earth – The square was a symbol for the earth during the Renaissance.

Rectangle Direction – A rectangle is longer than a square and its axis is more apparent. Because of its shape the axis can show direction or movement. Direction – A rectangle is longer than a square and its axis is more apparent. Because of its shape the axis can show direction or movement. Opening – A rectangle is the shape for many openings such as a door or window. It can suggest a portal, entry, or entrance. Opening – A rectangle is the shape for many openings such as a door or window. It can suggest a portal, entry, or entrance.

Vertical Support – Vertical shapes are associated with strength and support because columns are used to hold up buildings. They can suggest strength, balance, etc. Support – Vertical shapes are associated with strength and support because columns are used to hold up buildings. They can suggest strength, balance, etc. Classic – When vertical shapes are associated with Greek buildings having columns and pediments, such as the Parthenon, they can suggest dignity, stateliness, stillness, noiseless, timeless, ageless, resistance to change, classic etc. Classic – When vertical shapes are associated with Greek buildings having columns and pediments, such as the Parthenon, they can suggest dignity, stateliness, stillness, noiseless, timeless, ageless, resistance to change, classic etc. Upright – Because people stand upright, vertical shapes are associated with life, uprightness, integrity, firmness, etc. Upright – Because people stand upright, vertical shapes are associated with life, uprightness, integrity, firmness, etc.

Horizontal Rest – Horizontal shapes may be associated with rest, since humans sleep lying down. It can also suggest death, as a final rest. Rest – Horizontal shapes may be associated with rest, since humans sleep lying down. It can also suggest death, as a final rest. Silence – Horizontal shapes may be associated with, rest, sleep, quietness, serenity, peace, etc. Silence – Horizontal shapes may be associated with, rest, sleep, quietness, serenity, peace, etc. Speed – With appropriate visual cues such as automobiles or arrows, horizontal shapes can suggest speed, motion, swiftness, etc. Speed – With appropriate visual cues such as automobiles or arrows, horizontal shapes can suggest speed, motion, swiftness, etc.

Diagonal Action – Diagonal shapes can be associated with motion and action, because things such as running people, falling trees, and lightning are on an angle when they are in motion. Action – Diagonal shapes can be associated with motion and action, because things such as running people, falling trees, and lightning are on an angle when they are in motion. Instability – Diagonal shapes can be associated with imbalance, misfortune, chaos, agitation, etc. Instability – Diagonal shapes can be associated with imbalance, misfortune, chaos, agitation, etc.

Order Order – Shapes arranged in some logical order can suggest movement, order, logic, etc. Order – Shapes arranged in some logical order can suggest movement, order, logic, etc.

Triangles Strength – A triangle resting on its base suggests great stability because a triangle in this position would be difficult to overturn. Strength – A triangle resting on its base suggests great stability because a triangle in this position would be difficult to overturn. Timelessness – a triangle is the shape of the pyramids and can suggest things such as timeless, ageless, unchanging, permanent. Timelessness – a triangle is the shape of the pyramids and can suggest things such as timeless, ageless, unchanging, permanent. Can you count the number of triangles?

Inverted Triangle Unstable – A triangle sitting on one point is very unstable and is likely to fall over. It can suggest instability, weakness, dread, imbalance, fear, caution. Unstable – A triangle sitting on one point is very unstable and is likely to fall over. It can suggest instability, weakness, dread, imbalance, fear, caution.

Jagged Energy – Jagged shapes look like electricity and can suggest energy, electricity. Energy – Jagged shapes look like electricity and can suggest energy, electricity. Anxiety – These kinds of shapes can be used to portray anxiety, tension, fear, dread, suspense. Anxiety – These kinds of shapes can be used to portray anxiety, tension, fear, dread, suspense.

Pointed Knife – Long, pointed triangles – whether straight or curved – can remind us of things such as knives, needles, spears or broken glass. They can suggest pain, hurt, harm, danger, abuse, damage, destruction, etc. Knife – Long, pointed triangles – whether straight or curved – can remind us of things such as knives, needles, spears or broken glass. They can suggest pain, hurt, harm, danger, abuse, damage, destruction, etc.

Dotted Line Invisible – A shape with a dotted or broken line is often used to show a viewer something that others may not be able to see. In these kinds of situations a dotted line can suggest such things as ethereal, not seen, airy, weightless, breezy, immaterial, intangible. Invisible – A shape with a dotted or broken line is often used to show a viewer something that others may not be able to see. In these kinds of situations a dotted line can suggest such things as ethereal, not seen, airy, weightless, breezy, immaterial, intangible.

Implied Mysterious – Implied shapes are hidden and appear as if there is a secret image or a secret message. In these kinds of situations implied shapes can suggest such things as mystery, magic, supernatural, mystical, secret, wizardry, psychic, indefinable, hidden, evil, spiritual, airy, or without substance. Mysterious – Implied shapes are hidden and appear as if there is a secret image or a secret message. In these kinds of situations implied shapes can suggest such things as mystery, magic, supernatural, mystical, secret, wizardry, psychic, indefinable, hidden, evil, spiritual, airy, or without substance.

Expressive Properties of Shape Can you think of other shapes that would be expressive to other people through a general association? Can you think of other shapes that would be expressive to other people through a general association?

Questions 1. Define shape. 2. What is the difference between a geometric and an organic shape? Give and example of both. 3. What is the difference between a biomorphic and amorphic shape? Give and example of both. 4. What are positive and negative shapes? 5. List six qualities of shapes.