Psychology of Shapes in UI Design

Circles

Circles are associated with grace, comfort, and fluidity. They convey a sense of friendliness, completeness, and movement. Since they’re less common in design, circles naturally attract attention and provide emphasis.

How to use circles effectively:

• Use circular avatars to create warmth and approachability.

• Leverage circular progress indicators to suggest fluidity and movement.

For example, circular profile pictures or progress indicators enhance the sense of friendliness and completeness, showcasing the psychology of shapes in creating approachable and engaging designs.

Squares and rectangles

As the most common geometric shapes, squares and rectangles represent familiarity, stability, and order. Their straight edges imply structure and precision, making them ideal for forms, cards, and buttons.

How to use them effectively:

• Use sharp edges for a sense of strictness, art, fashion.

• Experiment with tilted squares or rectangles to increase visual interest.

These shapes work well in minimalist designs or layouts requiring clear organization, emphasizing the psychology of shapes for creating balance and consistency.

Triangles

Triangles are dynamic shapes, symbolizing action, progression, and energy. Depending on their orientation, they can either feel stable (when sitting on its base) or unstable (when not sitting on its base).

Because of their dynamic nature, triangles are well suited for a fast-paced high-tech company, while not suited for a financial institution.

Their directional nature makes triangles a great choice for guiding movement within a design, further illustrating the psychology of shapes in influencing user interactions.

Shapes in design

Shapes aren’t just static elements; they play dynamic roles in conveying meaning and purpose in design. The psychology of shapes reveals that different shapes or even variations in the style of the same shape can communicate distinct emotions and ideas. 

Types of shapes

1. Geometric shapes:

• Easily recognisable

• Often symmetric

• Implies organization and efficiency

2. Organic shapes:

• Pleasing and comforting

• Irregular, asymmetrical, curvy, uneven

• Adds interest, reinforces themes

3. Abstract shapes:

• Recognizable, but not real form

• Represent ideas and concepts

• Stylized/simplified version of organic shape

Incorporating the right type of shape can reinforce a product’s tone and messaging.

Positive vs. negative shapes

Humans usually pay attention to the figures first, but the shape of a negative space can also be a powerful visual clue!

• Positive shapes are the shapes of actual objects

• Negative shapes are the areas between these objects

Shape size and position

The size and position of shapes relative to each other convey depth. From the perceived depth, the viewer assesses the relative size of objects.

Conclusion

Shapes are more than just visual elements; they evoke emotions, guide user actions, and communicate a brand’s personality. By understanding the psychology of shapes, designers can create intentional, meaningful designs that resonate with users. Start leveraging shape psychology in your UI designs today!