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