Shape

A shape is any two-dimensional area with a recognizable boundary. This includes circles, squares, triangles, and so on.

Shapes fall into two distinct categories: geometric (or regular) and organic (where the shapes are more free form).

Shapes are a vital part of communicating ideas visually. They give images heft and make them recognizable. We understand street signs, symbols, and even abstract art largely because of shapes.

Shapes have a surprising number of uses in everyday design. They can help you organize or separate content, create simple illustrations, or just add interest to your work. See if you can spot the many examples in the image below.

Shapes are important because they’re the foundation of so many things. Learn to look for them in other designs, and soon you’ll start seeing them everywhere.

Form

When a shape becomes 3D, we call it a form. Forms make up a variety of things in the real world, including sculptures, architecture, and other three-dimensional objects.

However, forms don’t have to be three-dimensional shapes. They can also be implied through illustration, using techniques like light, shadow, and perspective to create the illusion of depth.

In two-dimensional design, form makes realism possible. Without it, renderings like the image below—a ball with highlights and shading—simply wouldn’t be the same.

Even images that are less realistic use similar techniques to create dimension. Below, the lighting and shading are stylized, but still hint at form and depth.

In everyday composition, the purpose of form is the same, but on a smaller scale. For example, a simple shadow can create the illusion of layers or give an object a sense of place.

Basic forms can bring a touch of realism to your work, which is a powerful tool when used in moderation.