Understanding the Psychology of Shape
It is important to understand the psychology of shapes and how the decision to include certain shapes can affect the psychological impact of a design. Shapes serve an important role in directing a viewer’s eyes, representing ideas and expressing emotions.
Rectangles and squares are the most common shapes that designers typically incorporate into their designs. We encounter these shapes everywhere we look and usually do not realize how these shapes influence our behavior and decisions. Rectangles and squares are often associated with stability.
Another example of a shape that is commonly used is the circle. Circles are found throughout the natural world and have been identified for their ability to convey movement and unity. Humans have enjoyed an ancient relationship with circles through their associations with the cyclical reality of life.
Triangles can represent supremacy or a means of achieving the commonly used phrase, “the pinnacle of success.” As a shape, triangles can be used to describe challenges that must be overcome in a continual process to become the best version of yourself. Human eyes naturally follow triangles all the way up to the very tip, making them an effective tool for directing a viewer’s eyes.
While there are several other shapes available for designers to utilize, the shapes included above are the most popular shapes designers and consumers alike observe and interact with on a daily basis. Understanding the psychology behind these shapes provides designers with a distinctive advantage going forward.
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Sources referenced in the article: https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/psychological-meaning-shapes-use
Here is a link to a video that describes the psychology behind shapes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDjegoLSwg4