Shape language - How people describe shapes and shape operations

Abstract

Many designers do not use CAD tools for shape ideation. They consider CAD systems not appropriate for the ideation phase. This research investigates how designers ideate shape, in particular which terms they use to exteriorize shape. The goal is to be able to propose digital tools that are useful for shape ideation. For the inventory of shape terms, an experiment was set up for two subjects. Both subjects receive a picture of a shape. Subject A receives also a picture of a derived shape. A explains the derived shape to B, who sketches it. The used shape terms are inventoried and categorized. The experiment was performed with two different groups of subjects. The research method is described in detail, the frequencies of the observed terms are presented and the differences between the groups are shown. The results are discussed and implications for digital shape ideation systems are mentioned.Design EngineeringIndustrial Design Engineerin