THE APPLICATION OF SHAPE LANGUAGE IN CHARACTER DESIGN: ANALYSIS OF A COLLABORATIVE WORKSHOP

Abstract

This article investigates the application of shape language in character design within a practical creative context. To do so, it takes as its object of analysis a collaborative workshop carried out with undergraduate Design students at the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM), in which participants were asked to create a sketch of a mascot representing their course. The study is grounded in authors who discuss shape language and the meanings commonly associated with the circle, square, and triangle in character drawing. Methodologically, this is an applied, qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study, developed as a single case study. Data were obtained through direct observation, photographic records, and analysis of the materials produced by the participants throughout the activity. The workshop was organized around adapted Design Thinking stages, including moments of definition, ideation, and prototyping. The results show that participants drew on the meanings attributed to basic shapes in the development of the mascots, largely maintaining a relationship between the concepts initially defined and the visual solutions produced. At the same time, adjustments, variations, and unforeseen decisions were observed throughout the process, as well as a predominance of linear constructions instead of the initial use of silhouette. The study contributes by offering an empirical observation of the application of shape language in an educational context.