Elements of Design: Form, Shape and Space

These basic elements of design form and shape are areas or masses which define objects in space. They cannot exist without space, therefore they are interdependent.

Form and shape are the elements that give your jewelry a two dimensional or three dimensional feel.

When creating a two dimensional form you are adding width and height. It can also create the illusion of three dimension objects. Three dimensional shapes have depth as well as width and height.

Form and shape can be either organic or geometric.

Organic forms are most often thought of as naturally occurring.

Organic forms also naturally occur in nature such as boulders in the snow or the waves in the ocean. These can become a great source of inspiration for your jewelry design ideas.

Geometric forms are those which correspond to named regular shapes, such as squares, rectangles, circles, cubes, spheres, cones, and other regular forms. These forms are most often thought of as constructed or made and are readily found in architectural designs.

You can clearly see the geometric forms and shapes in the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain.

However, not all made objects are geometric; many designed forms have irregular contours. Although this pendant is geometric in its construction, the surface design is organic in form.

Learn about other elements of design and how to design your own jewelry