Shapes

Can a shape invoke deep emotions or cause us to behave a certain way without us fully realizing it?

Before I get too lost in that question, let me explain a little more about shapes. A shape is a two dimensional illustration. Meaning it has a length and a height. Shapes can come in a variety of depictions. Most often we think of circles, squares, triangles, rectangles, etc. But quite literally, there are endless shapes out there. By changing the length, width, bending or stretching it, changing the angle, or even having multiple changes like this in a given illustration, we can create any shape, limited only by our imagination.

So a shape is just a line on a piece of paper that has height and width, right? Well… That is true. But it’s more than just a line on a piece of paper. Shapes have the most impact when used skillfully in an artistic manner. Shapes are so powerful, they can give the illusion of three dimensional space, while still being two dimensional only.

Now, with that under our belt, let’s talk about experiencing shapes. I am going to suggest two main ways we experience shapes. One is on an emotional level and the other is on a cognitive level. Let’s talk about the second one first.

A cognitive experience with shapes

What does it mean to experience shapes cognitively? Well, just that. We are learning about the properties, the associations, that we generally make with a given shape. For example, a child in elementary school learning what a square is for the first time may learn that it has four corners, as to where a circle has no corners. That child has then cognitively connected to that shape a property of it. Or, experienced that shape in a cognitive way. This in turn helps her or him to consciously associate that characteristic and understanding to that particular shape. With more exposure, this information will also influences our subconscious understanding associated with a particular shape.

Experiencing shapes emotionally

We also connect to shapes emotionally. This one is more challenging to explain. Everyone experiences emotion differently. Generally, our emotions are formed through life‘s experiences. It is impractical and completely impossible for us to assume that everyone has had the same life experiences. Making it that our emotional connection to the world around us is identical to one another. We don’t work like that. Even two identical twins experience emotion differently. In fact, if they were together through every single experience in their lives, they still would come out experiencing their world emotionally different from their identical counterpart. However, there are some commonalities across-the-board. And thank goodness for that.

I previously posted an article labeled “Psychology of shapes in Design: how different shapes can affect people behavior” by Deta Ayudhia S. It’s a good article. It is a short and easy read. It makes some interesting points, as well as raises some interesting concepts on how humans relate to shapes. For example, in the first section, where it talks about squares and rectangles, the article suggests that these shapes provide a sense of reliability and security, which in turn can produce a feeling of safety. This may be true for some out there, but for myself, when I see a square, I see rigidity. Which for me produces a feeling of strength. Likewise, when I see a rectangle, I see either a column or a beam (Go figure I’m an architecture student). Either way these two perspectives, from the article and my own, produce an emotion that is very similar if not the same.

So what do you think about the first part of my original question, can I shape invoke deep emotions? While you think about that, try this exercise.

• Get three blank pieces of paper.
• Draw one shape on each piece of paper. A square, triangular, and circle.
• Study each shape independently of the others, and pay attention to your thoughts. Where do your thoughts go? Write those down.
• Next, study the three shapes together and pay attention to how you feel about each one. Write those feelings down. It is OK to shuffle through the pages multiple times in order to reevaluate what you’re feeling for any of the three given shapes.
• Finally, compare your thoughts to your emotions or feelings and see what you find. Do you see any similarities between them? Have you found any evidence that would connect the two together? What have you learned about what your subconscious is saying?

I suggest leaving a day in between steps three and four.

Well, there, you have it folks, a brief post about shapes. I hope you found this post engaging or enlightening. I really hope you do the exercise. And the next topic I plan to tackle is color theory. Also, if you haven’t liked my Facebook page yet, where all my posts end up, click the link below and head on over there to do that. Signing off for now. See you next time.

Michael

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