Some research into the pyschology of shapes for use in the design aspects across my modules, most importantly, the design for my personal logo for Dynamic Communication.
Connotations of traditionality, reliability, familiar, rigidity, stability, dependability, safety, equality, security, rationality, practicality.
Think of paper, books, screen-sizes, doors and windows. They more or less always conform to the traditional square shape, because that's what works and what's practical. Even furniture to an extent more often than not conforms to a relatively cuboid shape or is made up of cuboids.
Connotations of tension, conflict, action, energy, power, danger, warning, high-rising, pointing, structure, masculinity.
Triangles are often used as warnings (road signs, symbols, traffic cones) which have various negative connotations. Interestingly, my animation tutor pointed out that evil cartoon characters are often designed to have triangular head shapes, as pointed chins and eyebrows convey evilness. On the other side, triangles are often associated with the likes of mountains, pyramids and arrows which suggest an idea of height and growth.
Connotations of protection, infinity, connection, community, wholeness, energy, perfection, restriction, trust, security, enclosement, femininity.
Circles are associated with infinity, as they never end in a way. They never reach an angle, but continue on one ongoing line. Think of the Earth, you can just keep travelling around it, and you'll never reach a definite end. Think of pi, even. Is it even possible to reach a definite decimal for the number or will it always be an approximation? Circles also suggest connection and protection. "Keeping it in within the circle". However, there's also a sense of restriction. They can't be stacked or placed beside other basic shapes without standing out due to their complete roundess.
Of course, these are just the basic shapes. There's an unlimited amount of geometric shapes including stars, polygons and hearts; abstract shapes which are geometric in nature, often in the form of symbols; and organic shapes which are representative of the shapes found in nature, such as the shape of a leaf, a tree, or a cat.
