Shaping Things Up

 

One reason designers use shapes is to draw visual interest. But what many do not consider is that even basic shapes carry communicative power and are often used in design to subtly convey a message to viewers without directly displaying it. Customizing the color, shape and placement of your product can reinforce your idea.

Familiar Faces

The most common shapes used by designers are those typically found in nature, which are referred to as geometric shapes. Due to that prevalence in nature, all geometric shapes are going to be familiar to viewers and will carry innate traits. As for Ghent, we carry glassboards in a circular shape, called Coda, a hexagonal shape, called Hex, and a collection of trapezoidal pieces, called the Geo Collection.

Circles - Coda

Circles and curves carry natural connections to community and new life due to their lack of hard angles and straight lines. Circles are said to evoke the feeling of harmony, continuity, and softness; they are often used in hospitality to try to build a welcoming environment.

Coda is circular, which is associated with creativity and support, and therefore is ideal for classroom, office, and lobby décor. By incorporating Coda into these areas, you can create a supportive learning atmosphere, inspiring space that encourages teamwork, and a fun space that nurtures creativity and comfortability.

Hexagons - Hex 

Hexagons are associated with both teamwork, because of their natural connection to bees and honeycomb, and discipline, from the recognizable "stop sign." Hexagons bring feelings of stability, balance, and reliability.

Hex, of course, is a hexagon, and is therefore ideal for situations like higher education or office spaces. Integrating Hex into these spaces can cultivate an atmosphere that fosters teamwork, innovation, and productivity.

Triangles - Geo Collection 

Designers use triangles to signify movement. Triangles are another fitting example of a shape carrying meaning that everyone understands yet might not have to think of; for example, the universal "play" symbol is just a triangle laying on its side, but we because of its common use, we understand it to mean "continue". Triangles convey ideas of movement and progress.

Our award-winning Geo Collection is heavily focused on geometry. Trapezoids, although geometric shapes, are less common than hexagons and circles, meaning they can catch more visual interest than Coda or Hex. The items of the Geo Collection, Partition, Huddle, and Mobile, are all trapezoid shapes. Trapezoids combine the traits of rectangles and triangles, reinforcing themes of order and purpose.

Squares - Everything Else 

Due to its frequency and plainness, squares and rectangles can signify order and stability. Squares may be the most present in everyday life, but they are far from boring and are often used to convey security and order.

Two of our favorite square shaped products are Border and Mosaic, these are your color customizable glass board or porcelain white board options respectively. In addition to the writing surface, a colored cloth bulletin board will be on the top, bottom, one of the sides, or in the middle. It's a modular product so its installation has many orientations depending on which is best to fit your space limitations and personal needs.

Shape Up and Ship Out 

Here at Ghent, we carry circles, squares, hexagons, and trapezoidal pieces. We selected the shapes we use in our designs with a clear purpose. Allowing endless iterations of installation to make your space yours and set it apart from any space before it. These shapes each represent part of our mission to create efficient tools for collaboration. Picking shapes will create visual interest for whatever situation you might encounter, and we will have the right design to complete your space.

 

Contact our team today