When to use

Geometric shapes encodes values as closed outlines whose corners and symmetry carry meaning. Euclid’s Elements (~300 BCE) still names the school set; modern UI reuses it.

In reports, ads and assignments it fits icons, posters, worksheets, brand marks. Skip it when you need to encode a quantity — use a chart, not a pretty triangle.

Use when

• Use when 1 — icons, posters, worksheets, brand marks
• Use when 2 — Excel or Google Sheets
• Use when 3 — PowerPoint
• Use when 4 — lab reports and poster boards
• Use when 5 — Meta, Google and retail print

Avoid when

• Avoid when 1 — you need to encode a quantity — use a chart, not a pretty triangle
• Avoid when 2 — 3-D, dual axes, rainbow scales
• Avoid when 3 — Undated numbers, undated time series
• Avoid when 4 — Four charts on one slide

Audiences

• Work — PowerPoint
• Ads — Meta, Google and retail print
• School — lab reports and poster boards

Geometric shapes: honour closed outlines whose corners and symmetry carry meaning, and switch when you need to encode a quantity — use a chart, not a pretty triangle.

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