Geometric design: you might instinctively recognise it when you see it, but what actually is it? The term ‘geometric design’ refers to an aesthetic style adhering to fundamental principles of symmetry, repetition, proportions and ratios.
It is also based on a grid system to ensure a visually pleasing level of consistency. Don’t let this fool you, though; geometric design definitely doesn’t have to be predictable and boring.
Here are several ways you would be able to creatively weave geometric elements into graphics you intend your business to leverage for promotional purposes.
Take inspiration from the past
Not necessarily your own, though you can go down that route if you want.
You probably don’t have to rack your brain too much to recall clapping eyes on geometric designs adorning various historical pieces of art and architecture — whether you saw them in person or in a documentary presented by someone like Bettany Hughes.
So, why not look again at past examples of geometric design to give yourself a valuable spark of inspiration? Maybe you have a few useful photos already saved on your smartphone, or you could watch a few historical documentaries on an on-demand service like BBC iPlayer?
Be selective which shapes you include
You don’t necessarily need to go for complex shapes. In fact, ironically, basic shapes can convey more meaning exactly because of their familiarity.
Circles are associated with a wide range of instantly recognisable items — such as the sun, the moon, balls and buttons. Triangles, too, can represent a number of different things — including mountains and arrows.
So, think carefully about what your business actually stands for — and then choose some specific shapes to suit. These could form common motifs in your company’s marketing materials.
Strategically combine elements to say new things
With your geometric designs, you want to strike just the right balance: distinctive enough to long leave an imprint on the mind while remaining simple enough not to bewilder the viewer.
Just look at Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky’s 1925 painting Yellow-Red-Blue, which is delightfully punchy and vibrant even with its big focus on primary colours and rudimentary shapes.
Why not dig out a sketchpad and start drawing geometric shapes in various compositions and arrangements to see which of them would work best for your particular brand?
For example, if you run an eco-conscious brand, green triangles could constitute trees, and be crowded together tightly to create forests — all while a yellow circle overhead serves as the sun.
Be patient when refining your work
Key to the beauty of geometric design is the myriad of visually enchanting possibilities with it. On the flip-side, though, this sheer scope of customisation could leave you indecisive about what to include and what to leave out of the design; so, don’t be afraid to keep tweaking it until it feels ‘just right’.
Whatever ideas you do come up with, you might want to run them past members of our graphic design team. We could help you take your geometric creations to the next level.
