Four Equations of Form
description
Transcript of Four Equations of Form
The Shapeof Content
Professor Wm PitzerIMC-693H
West Virginia University
Content
Purpose
Form
“Clutter and confusion are failures of design, not
attributes of information.”–Edward Tufte
“Form and content are inseparable.”
“Form is the very shape of content.”
–Ben Shahn
Four Equationsof Form
I.Form=Formulation
II.Form=Variety
III.Form=Nature
IV.Form=Art
Five thoughtsabout Form
1.Form is based upon a
theme; an idea.
QAR Blackbeard’s
Flagship
2.Form set boundaries of limits; the extent
of the idea.
3.Form marshals materials; inert
matter with which the theme is cast.
4.Form relates inner material to outer limits: Harmony.
5.Form abolishes
excessive content outside of theme.
Human Cargo
The Shapeof Content
Shahn, B. (1957). The Shape of Content. Cambridge, MA.: Harvard University Press.
I"ustration and design by Wm Pitzer