Graphics and such

In business we often talk about shapes. Boxes and lines and filling vacuums. Drawing yourself inside or outside the box, stepping outside of the lines, and filling up space when there is space to fill.

And we've all heard the famous "We've come full circle." 

These shapes describe simply and elegantly our framework for how we view the world. You're not left ruminating about what type of a person you are, or where you should stretch yourself, or where you feel most comfortable.

You're either inside the box or on the outside. You either fill the space or you don't.

Sometimes you're a square, sometimes you're not.

Shapes put a moratorium on thinking and analyzing and anxiety. They tell you quietly and directly what shape you should take next. Maybe your current shape is confining something another shape may enhance.

They motivate without being in your face. They're just shapes, after all.

Sometimes it's not intellectual discourse that you need, or analysis or feedback or lessons. Sometimes it takes a shape to help you see what you already know. A box or triangle or line that helps you come "full circle."

Comments

[Bob Redpath]

I like the idea of shape metaphors so much more than the overused sports and war metaphors for business. There aren't many win-win scenarios in sports, except the occasional hockey tie (and who the hell wants to sit though a hockey game to see it end in a tie?) I'm not sure what win-win would be in graphic terms though!

I was a biology major in college who took a few business classes. In one I wrote a paper relating organizations to ecosystems. There are a lot of great metaphors there -- competition for resources, symbiotic relationships, and of course survival of the fittest.

And thanks, I'm really enjoying the SAMBA posts. There's always something different to think about. Keep mixing it up.

[bitterbetterideaguy]

Good post. I also like shape metaphors. They are really good for establishing a schema, or frame of reference for the group. As a base schema, shape is about as good as it gets since as infants it is one of the first things our brains learn.

Personally, I also like the Bruce Lee quote, "Be water, my friend." Basically this is a statement about constantly reassessing your surroundings and adapting accordingly. In our super fast changing world, better advice might be hard to come by.

Lastly, for Bob, there have not been ties in hockey for several years. All games are eventually settled by a shootout if it is still a tie after 65 minutes of play. That said, almost any hockey reference is a good one, so nice work, Bob!

[Joseph Sherman]

I love your analogy, and the line "Maybe your current shape is confining something another shape may enhance." As shapes, do we see the "bigger picture?" An exquisite Origami Crane is composed of many simple shapes contributing to the greater piece.

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