This document discusses the relationship between form and content in information design. It presents four equations of form: form as formulation, variety, nature, and art. It also lists five thoughts about form: that form is based on a theme or idea; that form sets boundaries and limits; that form marshals materials to cast the theme; that form relates inner material to outer limits in harmony; and that form abolishes excessive content outside the theme. The document is titled "The Shape of Content" and references a 1957 book by artist Ben Shahn that discusses how form gives shape to content.

1. The Shape
of Content
Professor Wm Pitzer
IMC-693H
West Virginia University

2. Content
Purpose
Form

3. “Clutter and confusion are
failures of design, not
attributes of information.”
–Edward Tufte

4. “Form and content are
inseparable.”
“Form is the very shape
of content.”
–Ben Shahn

5. Four Equations
of Form

6. I.
Form=Formulation

10. II.
Form=Variety

16. III.
Form=Nature

22. IV.
Form=Art

27. Five thoughts
about Form

28. 1.
Form is based upon a
theme; an idea.

29. QAR
Blackbeard’s
Flagship

31. 2.
Form set boundaries
of limits; the extent
of the idea.

33. 3.
Form marshals
materials; inert
matter with which
the theme is cast.

35. 4.
Form relates inner
material to outer
limits: Harmony.

37. 5.
Form abolishes
excessive content
outside of theme.

39. Human Cargo

45. The Shape
of Content
Shahn, B. (1957). The Shape of Content.
Cambridge, MA.: Harvard University Press.
I"ustration and design by Wm Pitzer