I Like Circles.

I mentioned yesterday that one of my courses this summer is Motion Graphics 2. Well my other course is my last Liberal Arts class, The Power of Signs: Semiotics & The Visual Arts. If you are a fan of my blog from back in the day (ummm... like last September), then you might remember me posting about the History of Aesthetics class quite a bit. Well this is the same professor, and once again he's got my little wheels a-turnin'. Last week our lecture was on The Preferential Shapes Test, and as interesting as biosemiotics may be (bio-huh?), this was actually something I thought others might be interested in.

From the lecture:

The Preferential Shapes Test provides a window into individual experiences and needs, as well as clues to the direction of future growth. It is not intended as an index of character flaws. The processes revealed by the shape preferences are a part of everyone's experience. The potentials symbolized by each shape are present in everyone, although the shapes' expression within any individual is always unique.

I'm not exactly sure I can reproduce the entire test here, as I Googled it and only got references to a book. So to ensure not getting sued or anything ridiculous like that, I'll just pimp the book instead.

The "test" was created by Angeles Arrien, a cultural anthropologist and student of Joseph Campbell. Through cross-cultural study she identified five symbols that she says occur in art and decoration around the world with similar meanings. The five symbols are:

• Circle - symbolizing wholeness
• Equidistant Cross - symbolizing relationship
• Spiral - symbolizing growth and change
• Square - symbolizing stability
• Triangle - symbolizing goals, dreams, and visions

In the Preferential Shapes Test, she asks people to first draw the shapes and then rank them 1-5 with one being the most preferred shape and five the least.

The five ranked positions also have meanings:

1. where you think you are
2. your strengths
3. where you really are
4. your motivation
5. what you are avoiding or in denial of

The test interpretations are lengthy, but really interesting, if you're into this hippie dippie new-agey kinda thing like me. I found some pretty accurate, some surprising, and some quite insightful. I'm always down for some self-reflection, and if anything, this test encourages that.

Plus any test that only compromises of drawing a few simple shapes is awesome in my book.