SHAPE LANGUAGE IN ILLUSTRATION

I was reading an article about shape language and how it is used in the illustration sector to convey a certain message. Iryna Korshak describes shape language as "...the information we receive from looking at an object. The object communicates its nature with the help of the basic shapes that it is made of. Every complex object can be broken down into three fundamental shapes: circle, square, and triangle." (Korshak, 2020)

https://www.netguru.com/blog/illustrators-eye-the-language-of-shapes

From this information I know that when creating an illustration it is important to use specific shapes even with complex forms. Each shape has unique features and when used in the correct way can help enhance an image and it's emotional message.

Circles

"Usually, the curved lines and anything that reminds us of a circle is associated with soft, cute, friendly and approachable features – with harmony, energy, and perfection. Curves are pleasant to look at, they have a certain dynamic, movement, and volume that other shapes lack." (Korshak, 2020)

With these images below they are used for a website on safety awareness, so they have used a lot of circles and curves in their imagery to show that they are friendly, safe and part of a community.

Squares

"Straight lines, which we find in squares and rectangles, evoke the feeling of groundedness, stability, balance, order, structure. Illustrators often use them to show powerful, professional, masculine characters or environments. That being said, the domination of either verticals or horizontals can change the message." (Korshak, 2020)

Squares are usually used in business or technological environments to show that they are sturdy and stable, they want to show the message that they can be reliable and that they are a business that can be trusted.

Triangles

"Triangles consist of diagonals which represent movement, direction, power, as well as stability or instability (reversed triangle). Triangles are dynamic and fast. The features that often accompany them are: threat, danger, sharpness, but also balance and energy." (Korshak, 2020)

Triangles are used a fair bit in company logos to show the traits that they are fast or are always moving up. For example with the Google Play logo, their triangle is the universal language of the play button, it also shows that they are efficient and possibly a threat to other competitors. With the Adobe logo it is made up of triangles, the main triangle facing upwards to show a sense of power that they are on top in their field.

Combinations

Using a combination of these shapes in imagery can create different effects, the key is to use a balance of shapes to convey your message. It's good to limit the amount of dominant shapes in your illustration to one or two shapes.

"Another important effect of combinations is the creation of contrast. This can make the object even more interesting. Spikes and curves, active and passive lines, good or bad characters – there are lots of possibilities for mixing features." (Korshak, 2020)

This quote of her's made me want to research more into shape language and how it is conveyed in character design.

Reference:

Korshak, I (2020) Illustrator's Eye: The Language of Shapes. Poznan: Netguru. Available at: https://www.netguru.com/blog/illustrators-eye-the-language-of-shapes. [Accessed: 16 March 2020].