Grouping for Meaning

Today's assignment involved grouping similar shapes to evoke a feeling or emotion. With only shapes positioned in purposeful ways, ideas can be presented, which is the goal of the project.  Each of the following images has a theme listed at the top followed by ten of the same basic shape. Within each image the shapes may have been rotated, re-sized, re-colored or a combination of the three. Below each image you will find a brief description of the thought that went into each image.

Unity can be described a oneness and togetherness. A circle is a good fit for this because it has no beginning and no end, it is simply one being. A circle can also be representative of a ring which could represent the unity of two people. The unity of the world is through the Olympics, which has a symbol made of rings. Placing all ten X's in a circle shows that they belong together; they are the same color and size. They are unified.

When I first think of celebrations I first think of fireworks. They are many colors like confetti and they are different sizes, but they are concentrated in one area of the sky. The cluster of explosion shapes in this image are set to represent fireworks. The colors reflect happiness and the many shapes create a more loose free form feeling rather than a rigid pattern.

Isolation is not usually a happy or fun feeling. It is the feeling of being alone or excluded. In this image there is a group of shapes in a stiff obvious pattern. They fit together well and do not show any room for additions. Then down in the corner one additional shape, of a different color, sits with a small shadow to emphasize its loneliness.

When I think of escaping I usually think of breaking free of jail. The ordered line of boxes represents a wall or barrier. The three blocks that are smaller and appear to be falling are in place to make it seem as if the wall is breaking and allowing for escape. The small blocks are also escaping from the conformity of the other linear blocks. In several ways this image can make the viewer think about escape.

This image is one of the more obvious visuals. The nine larger arrows create a half circle and are all working together to put some sort of pressure on the single smaller arrow in the center. The viewer can relate to being on one or maybe both sides of this intimidation imagery.

Logic is a type of thinking. Thinking can help solve problems, many times logically. In this case it shows that it is logical when two is added to three the result is five. It actually took logical thinking to come up with the design. I had to determine how I could create a simple math problem out of only ten items. The grouping of the content creates the thought of logic through the solving of a problem.

Anarchy can be described as no order and lawless. There are few governing rules to this image. The lightning bolts are faced in several different directions and are scattered about the frame. This image has no pattern and no one piece that stands out. This grouping gives the feeling of disorganization.