Friday, April 19, 2013

Organic Shapes Versus Geometric Shapes


Wherever we go, we see different shapes. Some of these shapes are precise and consistent, some are free-form, flowing and unpredictable. Shapes are visible yet mostly ignored.

Shapes have two different categories, organic and geometric.

Organic shapes

These are figures that have a natural and a flowing look, mostly curving in appearance. This is often referred to as curvilinear or free-form shapes, as they can be made of angles, curves or both.

Geometric shapes

These shapes are different from free-form generally because they are precise and consistent. These consist of circles, squares, spirals and triangles.

Differences

Organic shapes are not the same with geometric shapes. This is practically because they do not have measurements that are uniform and perfect, making it harder to compute measurements such as areas and volumes. A television screen, for an instance, is usually a rectangle.

Another key difference is that organic shapes are typically not man made, well except in a handful of fields. Geometric shapes, by contrast, can either be made by individuals or appear naturally.                                                                                                              

These two may be different but there is actually one similarity. Organic and geometric can be a positive or a negative shape. A shape is positive when there are details inside its outline. A shape is negative by being empty inside its complete outline.

Shapes as used in society

With so much difference, free forms and geometric shapes can appear together, such as in art. In an attempt to create a piece that would portray peace, free form is usually the choice. When trying to create anger or maybe rigidity, geometric would be the first in mind. Some artists use a geometric image to create abstract interpretations of things that normally requires organic shapes.

People also often use organic shapes in gardening and landscaping. These types of shapes work well for this because their lack of linearity gives a more natural, blended look to the yard or garden. An even more organic look can be attained by how a landscaper designs elements like trim, ponds, and general layout, or they can get the organic feel with the specific plants they pick

Engineers also make use of free formed patterns, although the finished product might have a more geometric base to it. The ability to use irregular figures means that engineers can be much more creative and artistic even if they are solving formal problems such as how to make a building stronger.

Shapes can be simple and yet complex at the same time, either way, it is undoubtedly useful even in our daily lives.

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