Every single detail is essential when it comes to graphic design. Knowing how to utilize design elements to flesh out your concept is the key to creating better output. This applies to your brand identity design, label design, social media design, and more.
Today, we are talking about one of the most critical parts of any design, and that is shape psychology. It’s a design element that lets you set the tone and provide visual prominence. But there’s much more to this element than some people might think.
This article will guide you through mastering this topic and applying it to your work. Here’s a quick overview of what we’re tackling.
- What is shape psychology
- Understanding the meaning of shapes
- What shapes do people prefer?
Let’s get started.
What is shape psychology?
Shape psychology is defined as the influence a figure has on the viewer’s perception. It’s a lot like color psychology. This scientific study guides graphic designers and brands in selecting a figure to incorporate in their work. It helps reveal what shape will best embody the concept they’re going for. Think of it as another way to ensure that you’re communicating your message the best way possible.
But this doesn’t exist in graphic design alone. It’s also an essential part of other fields like interior design, photography, and architecture, among other industries.
Learn all about shapes and their meaning below.
Understanding the meaning of shapes
People analyze shapes and assign human traits to them. Being aware of how you can use this to your advantage gives you a valuable opportunity to improve your design and relay your message more effectively. You can use it to showcase your personality as an approachable brand or an edgy brand. It’s an excellent basis to use when creating a design for your project.
Here are some of the commonly used shapes and their meaning.
Circle
Round shapes are cornerless figures which create a soft look. It’s a familiar symbol used for life and unity. It can also stand for eternity in some cultures because people believe the shape has no beginning or end.
Plus, it provides enough space for you to put information on and give your audience a more leisurely time processing your design.
Where can you use this?
The lack of sharpness in its look makes it a great complement to your design’s focal point, be it in a photograph or a logo.
Rectangle
Rectangles are figures with two adjacent sides that are equal in length. The straight lines and sharp angles of the rectangle can be seen in everyday life, like buildings. It aids in creating an appearance of stability and security. This shape helps evoke a trustworthy image.
Where can you use this?
The elongated four corners of the rectangle make it an ideal canvas for digestible pieces of information. This shape complements business cards, ads, and banners.
Square
Similar to the previous shape, a square has four corners. The difference lies in the symmetry as this shape has four equal sides. The angles of this shape measure 90 degrees. Its sturdiness makes people associate it with balance and strong foundations.
Where can you use this?
Its versatile figure allows you to create something with a dominant silhouette for brand assets like charts, social media posts, and photos.
Triangles
This shape has three angles and three sides. It is a figure known for traits like strength, power, and masculinity. You can see this being used by brands like CAT, HGTV, and Doritos to create an attention-grabbing brand identity.
Where can you use this?
Its shape, whether upright or inverted, helps lead the eyes of the audience. This makes it ideal for other projects like label design, infographics, and other similar assets.
Diamond
Diamonds are valuable crystals depicted using an octahedral shape. But for its 2D version, the figure is illustrated with four corners, equal sides, and parallel opposite sides. The spikey figure helps evoke traits such as passion and faithfulness.
Where can you use this?
Since this shape is associated with a precious resource, it’s a great feature that you can use for projects that you want to have a luxe feel. You can use this for symbols, store signs, web design, and more.
Heart
This shape is a representation of the human organ. This symbol isn’t anatomically accurate, and it comes in the form of a scalloped shape. It has two bumps atop it, and the lower half of the figure is sharp and points downwards.
Where can you use this?
This shape is versatile and can add a festive look to a design for seasons like Valentine’s or Mother’s Day. You can use this as ornaments for social media posts, logos, and other aspects.
Organic
An organic shape can take the form of irregular figures since it isn’t a rigid, perfect shape. It has a more natural vibe, leaving the cookie-cutter quality that other structures have. This form is often curvy and flowy.
Where can you use this?
Since each organic shape is unique, this helps develop a one-of-a-kind look for graphic design projects. You could use this for illustrations, videos, backgrounds, and other projects.
What shapes do people prefer?
Circles, squares, and triangles are just some of the most common shapes you can expect to see being used by brands and your environment. But is there a single shape that reigns supreme when it comes to creating a striking design?
This section will teach you data-backed answers to help you select the perfect shape for your brand. Scientists have long been interested in what figures are most appealing for humans.
The answer is simple. Humans are magnetized by curvy shapes, according to different studies. So yes, this includes circles, ovals, ellipses, spheres, stadiums, and the like.
Some people might think that this is pretty random, but there’s a reason why people prefer curves rather than an edgy shape, and it goes back to primitive times.
Humans have avoided sharp shapes like fangs and treacherous terrain that can harm them. This is why jagged figures produce strong feelings. Meandering forms will help you give them something to look at that reminds them of safety.
But just because people are naturally drawn to curvy figures doesn’t mean that it’s automatically the best choice for your brand. When choosing the shape for your brand, you must always consider your brand identity and what will best engage your target audience.
Conclusion
When you’re aware of the meaning behind each shape, you can effectively maximize them and make them a compelling design that your audience can engage with. It gives you another communication tool to yield.
Start your graphic design project once you’re all set to apply what you’ve learned. You can use it for different projects like a podcast cover or even a YouTube channel cover.
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Start a design contest on DesignCrowd. The crowdsourcing platform lets you post your project brief and work with freelance graphic designers to flesh it out. Brands use this for graphic design projects like logo design, and merch design, among many others. Get ready to receive up to 50 design bids today.
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Written by DesignCrowd on Tuesday, July 6, 2021
DesignCrowd is an online marketplace providing logo, website, print and graphic design services by providing access to freelance graphic designers and design studios around the world.
