Lesson video

Hello, my name is Ms. Badru.

I hope that you are all doing well.

I'm really looking forward to teaching and learning with you today.

Our learning outcome for this lesson is I can manipulate shapes and forms to develop my visual language.

Our keywords for this lesson are shape, form, and association.

Let's explore each keyword in turn to find out what they mean.

Shape: an area enclosed and defined.

Form: the three-dimensional shape and structure of an object or artwork, often showing depth, volume, and mass.

Association: a connection or link between two or more things.

Our lesson outline focuses on shape and form.

So let's begin with our first learning cycle, Explore how to use shape and form to communicate.

Possible outcomes for today might include: Pause briefly for a moment here and take a look at each image.

What kinds of shapes and forms can you identify? Or what do they communicate to you? Have you ever seen artwork that uses shapes to create a feeling of joy or sorrow? What art have you seen in your community or school that uses shapes in unusual ways? Pause here for a moment to answer each of those questions.

Make a note of your answer.

Shapes and forms are elements of design that help artists communicate ideas and emotions without words.

We call this our visual language.

How would you describe the shapes and forms seen in this artwork? Pause here briefly and make a note of your own ideas and observations.

You might have said: Geometric: mathematically defined shapes with precise edges and angles.

Or organic: irregular, free flowing, and often found in nature.

You might have said: positive or negative.

So positive shapes are the main objects, while negative shapes are the empty spaces around them.

Let's look at the image a little bit more closely.

So you can see the dark area with the arrow pointing, identifies the negative space around the main object.

Whilst a solid object is the positive form.

3D forms: often used to describe the 3D representation of a shape such as a sphere, 3D circle, or a cube, a 3D square.

Let's have a check-in for understanding.

So match the terms to their definitions.

So we have four terms: geometric number one, number two: organic, number three: positive, number four: 3D forms. And we have four sets of definitions: A: mathematically defined shapes with precise edges and angles.

B: often used to describe the 3D representation of a shape.

C: irregular, free-flowing, and often found in nature.

D: positive shapes are the main objects.

Please pause here for a moment and see which term matches to the correct definition and we'll resume shortly.

Let's find out the answers.

What did you come up with? So number one corresponds with definition A.

Geometric is a mathematically defined shape with precise edges and angles.

Number two, organic corresponds with definition C, which is irregular, free flowing, and often found in nature.

Number three, positive corresponds with definition D.

Positive shapes are the main objects.

And number four, 3D forms corresponds with B, often used to describe the 3D representation of a shape.

How could you use geometric shapes to create a sense of order or chaos in your work? Laura says, "I could use neat, repetitive geometric shapes to create a sense of order and structure in my work, making it feel balanced and controlled." What emotions do organic shapes evoke compared to sharp, angular shapes? "Organic shapes evoke feelings of calmness, softness, and natural tranquillity.

Sharp, angular shapes, on the other hand, tend to create emotions of tension, energy, and modernity." There's Jacob.

Let's do a check-in here for understanding.

True or false? Shapes and forms are visual tools used by artists to help them communicate.

Is this statement true or false? Pause for a moment here to think about your answer and why, and we will resume shortly.

Okay.

Let's see.

Well, the answer could be, the answer is true, and why might this be? Shapes and forms are fundamental elements of design that help artists communicate ideas and emotions visually.

Shapes can be made out of objects in your work, but they can also be found in the space in between objects.

Look at this drawing.

What shapes can you see in the negative space? "Ovals in the handles of scissors and triangles between the hammer and the scissors." Says Andeep.

How can you combine positive and negative shapes to create interesting compositions? So Izzy says, "I've used the positive and negative shapes to create an interesting composition.

The brush handle itself represents the positive shape while the surrounding space and the surface it rests on form the negative space." Examples of artists exploring shape and form include: Ceija Stojka who used strong shapes and forms to depict her experiences during the Holocaust.

Joaquin Torres-Garcia, a pioneer of Constructivism, used geometric shapes and forms to create abstract compositions.

And Heri Dono uses playful, surreal shapes and forms in his paintings and installations, often inspired by traditional Javanese culture.

Phoebe Collings-James uses organic, fluid shapes and textured surfaces to create dynamic 3D forms that often reference the body and cultural identity.

Forms can reflect cultural, spiritual, and artistic values of whole societies, for example.

Venus de Milo: an ancient Greek statue with carved form, symbolising classical ideals of beauty and grace.

Lion Man: a prehistoric ivory carving with a hybrid form; part human, part lion, symbolising strength and spirituality.

Islamic Mihrab: a semicircular niche in a mosque with arched, geometric forms and patterns, serving as a focal point for worshipers.

Haida Totem Poles are tall wooden poles with stacked, symbolic forms of animals and spirits made by the northwest Coast Peoples.

Buddhist Stupas: dome-shaped structures with rounded, symmetrical forms, built to hold spiritual relics.

So let's continue our journey of exploring shape and form by moving on to the second learning cycle, Experiment with shape and form in your work.

The provocation for today is how can you manipulate shape and form in your work? Can you communicate ideas and create associations for the audience? There are many ways that you can manipulate shape and form.

Could you: use stitching, batik or applique create shapes on fabric, paper or canvas? Perhaps represents solid 3D forms with soft or flimsy materials? Experiment with folding, heating or pleating fabric to create 3D forms? Use shapes to tell a story or convey a feeling? Or use shading and tone to turn a flat shape into a 3D form? Create a composition where overlapping shapes gives the illusion of depth? Use contrasting shapes, e.

g.

, soft curves versus sharp angles, to create visual tension or harmony? Could you: use different materials to explore 3D forms such as clay, wire or card? Create a sculpture focusing on negative space? Use repetition of shapes to create rhythm or movement in your 3D piece? Could you perhaps explore symmetry and balance? Lay shapes to create depth in a drawing, digital or print design? Experiment with distorting or warping shapes to create a sense of movement or transformation? Could you: use light and shadow to create form? Find shapes in your environment viewed from unusual angles? Use framing like doors and windows to explore shape? Use reflections to play with form and symmetry? These pupils are considering the provocation in relation to their own creative journey.

Quick recap.

Our provocation is: Can you communicate ideas and create associations for the audience? Let's see what our students have to say.

So Alex says, "I could sew layered, flowing shapes like banners using bold patterns to create a sense of movement and excitement, like a festival in full swing." So Laura says, "I'd use geometric shapes to build a Lego city inside a glass jar, communicating the idea of enclosed spaces and creating associations with micro or contained worlds." Okay, let's have a check-in for understanding.

Is the following statement true or false? It isn't wise to develop your work in relation to your theme as each part of it is marked alone for the GCSE course.

Is this true or false? Pause here for a moment to think about your answer and why.

Okay, what did you think? Let's take a look.

The answer is false, and why do you think that is? It is always best to develop and grow your ideas in relation to your theme or project.

This is how artists work.

You'll gain marks for the project, not the individual parts.

Different shapes can evoke specific associations or emotions.

For example, circles might suggest unity and wholeness, while sharp angles could imply tension or conflict.

What words come to mind when you look at the work Jun has made? Just spend a brief moment or two looking at each of the images.

What do you think? Solid? Graphic? Or stark? These words, ideas and feelings are the associations you make with this work.

What could Jun do to make his work more soft, gentle, or flowing? What do you think? Let's explore.

So Izzy says, "Perhaps soften the forms using gentle light and colour, or add curving, flowing organic shapes and lines to the composition." The way you use visual tools like shape, colour, and form speak to your audience as part of your visual language.

Let's have a check-in for understanding.

Shapes with sharp angles are most likely to be associated with: A: calmness and relaxation? Or B: tension or conflict? Or C: happiness and harmony? Which one do you think is the answer? Spend a moment here thinking about that and we'll regroup shortly.

Okay, what do you think the answer is? It is B.

Tension or conflict.

Shapes with sharp angles are most likely to be associated with tension or conflict.

Let's bring our focus to Task B.

Provocations: How can you manipulate shape and form in your work? Can you communicate and create associations for the audience? Number one, think about your theme, source and the materials available to you.

What ideas do you have? Number two, share your ideas in response to the provocation.

So pause the video here whilst you complete these practical tasks and resume when you are ready.

Okay, let's explore feedback options.

Number one, think about your theme, source and the materials available to you.

What ideas do you have? Let's take a look.

Aisha says, "I'm going to think about the shapes and forms found on a table during a Middle Eastern celebration." Izzy says, "I can arrange and place everyday items in unusual positions.

I could use light and angles to make them look strange or unfamiliar." Let's look at feedback to the second provocation.

Share and develop your ideas in response to the provocation.

You might discuss something like: "For 'Celebration' in textiles, I've decided to draw a design for a quilt using shapes to represent the festival flags." Sofia says, "I don't really think of quilts when I think of festivals.

Quilts remind me of memorials or babies.

Have you considered designing a flag itself? You could consider the shape of the fabric and then work into it to create further shapes and forms." Alex responds, "I hadn't thought about those associations with quilts.

A flag design sounds great.

I might use batik today to experiment with making shapes in wax." Okay, number three of Task B: Experiment with your motifs to manipulate shape and form.

You could: produce thumbnail experiments in your sketchbook, produce design drawings, draw out a photo shoot and write a plan; make maquettes or small models; Test material combinations and evaluate them; work digitally.

Let's take a look at some feedback.

Experiment with your motifs to manipulate shape and form.

You might say: "I drew the table to explore how shapes and forms create order and celebration.

I focused on my favourites and contrasting shapes.

Initially, I made it square, but a round table feels more intimate," says Aisha.

You might say: "I made a drawing by distorting and layering the shapes and forms. I found using lines and colours emphasised the shape, angles, and forms," says Andeep.

You might make something like this and say, "I made things look strange by removing the context with closeups, shadows and angles.

I chose black and white to focus in on the forms." Number four of Task B: Discuss how shape and form communicate in your work and create associations for the audience.

You might discuss: what you want people to feel when they see your work, what your project is about, what keywords are associated with your work, what might make your work more successful or engaging.

Let's look at some feedback with regard to this task.

So you were tasked with number four: Discuss how shape and form communicate in your work and create associations for the audience.

You might discuss something like, "How did you want people to feel seeing these shapes and forms?" asks Laura, "I wanted people to feel full of joy.

My project is about celebration.

I used bright colours, organic bold shapes, and tried to create a rhythm.

I want people to associate it with words like fun, dancing, playful." responds Alex.

Okay, here we are at our summary for Shape and form.

Shape and form are fundamental elements of design that help artists communicate ideas and emotions visually.

Different shapes can evoke specific associations or emotions.

Forms give depth and volume to a piece, making it more dynamic and realistic, especially in sculpture and painting.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this lesson.

Thank you.

I look forward to seeing you next time.

Take care.

Bye for now.