Chapter 8: Shape

Photo.  Audio CD Cover.  Richard Simmons.  "Super Sweatin': Shimmy into Shape".  6 May 2012.  Web.  <http://www.richardsimmons.com/j15/index.phpop.product_details&product_id=75&flypage=flypage.tpl&pop
=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=81&vmcchk=1&Itemid=81>

Shape is an area created by either enclosing a line or created using color or value to define the edges.  The term Form can also be used to refer to shapes.

Three things a designer can use shape for are to recreate reality on the page, create sculptures, or play with new designs in the fashion world.

1                                  Binkley, Michael.  "Biomorphic Shape #2"
Statuario Marble.  11"H x 14"W x 9"D11"H x 14"W x Web.  <http://www.binkleysculpture.com/sculptureforsale.php

When referring to space, we see the designers needs to work with the Figure, the object in the foreground, and the Ground, which is the space in between figures.  This goes for designers of all kind.  How does an architects design work with the surrounding sky line or neighborhood?  How about each garment in a collection during a fashion show?  An artist can also play with Positive and Negative Space to create different perceptions.




 

2             UCX.  "New concept for a high-rise
                       apartment building on the waterfront
in Rotterdam".  29 November 2006.  Web.
<http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/005456.html>

3   Jae-Hyo, Lee.  "Pine and Chesnut chair".
              2012.  Web.  <http://label-magazine.com
           /portfolio/pine-and-chestnut-chair-by-
lee-jae-hyo/>

One important shape in design is a Biomorphic Shape.  This type of shape is inspired from mother nature herself. (1)

From Architecture (2) to furniture, (3) Biomorphism is showing up all over in the modern world.

Three shape mainstays are Naturalism, Idealism, Distortion and Nonobjective.  All referring to the view from the designer, but each seen from such different points.  Naturalism (4) is capturing the world around us as it it.  Idealism (5) is the world the way we want it to be, while distortion (6) exaggerates our natural wold  Nonobjective (7) shapes are that unlike anything in our natural world.  This allows the object itself to become reality, allowing art to live in a state of whatever our wildest imaginations can come up with.  Deep.  

5              Marvel.  "Colossus & Kity Pride".
12 June 2012.  Web.  <http://marvel.com
/universe3zx/index.php?title=File:
Colkitty.jpg&filetimestamp=2007061
2175500#file

4    Ryden, Mark. "Self Portrait".  2012.  Twittter.  Web.
<http://twitter.com/#!/markryden>

6               Loopy Dave.  "Van Gogh Caricature".  30 April 2011.  Web.  <http://loyalkng.com/2011
/04/30/van-gogh-caricature-portriat-painting-by-loopydave/

Yanthra, Ramesh.  "2007 001".  Paint on Canvas.  2007.  Web.  <http://www.rameshyanthra.com/?page_id=94>

In chapter seven we discussed the line being the beginning of design, in chapter 8 it takes shape.  This shape defines our  personal spaces and inspires all the creations around us.  As an interior designer knowing all the shapes that can be used is important to a successful career, but knowing the nonobjective is out there, makes me feel better about my own reality.