ColourFun
For Z

Black square problem

Four black squares of different sizes, one square frame, and four words to express: Bold, Explosion, Doubt and Compression. Only placement, scale, rotation, overlap, spacing and cropping by the frame edge can change, so every decision carries meaning.

The brief

Work with four black squares of different sizes to create graphic images that express the meaning of four words.

Instructions

  1. For each word, make eight small sketch ideas in the boxes provided.
  2. After sketching, choose the most effective design for each word.
  3. Re-draw your chosen solution in the larger box.

Remember

  • Sketch with pencil first, but make the final compositions from black construction paper.
  • You can only use the four black squares: no extra shapes, no cutting them smaller.
  • Think about placement, scale, rotation, overlap and spacing.
  • Squares can go out of the frame: the edge crops them, so a turned square can show as a triangle or just a corner.
  • Use design principles (balance, contrast, rhythm, movement, and so on) to communicate meaning.

Choosing the best of eight

  • Could someone guess the word without being told?
  • Does it read instantly, from across the room?
  • Are all four squares doing a job?
  • Does it use the frame edges (touching, cropping or empty space) on purpose?
BoldConfident, heavy, stable, big
ExplosionOutward force, rotation, scatter
DoubtHesitation, instability, near-misses
CompressionSqueezed, crowded, pressed together

Your squares

Set the four square sizes as a percentage of the frame's width so the examples match your paper squares. If your teacher gave you sizes, enter your final box size in cm and adjust until the cm sizes match.

cm

Example ideas

Eight ideas for each word, like your eight sketch boxes. Press Regenerate for eight more. Click an idea to see it large with an explanation. These are starting points for your own sketches, not answers to copy.

Try it

Drag the squares to move them. Select one to rotate it or change its stacking order. Parts outside the frame are cropped, just as they would be if your paper hung over the edge and you trimmed it. Turn a square 45° and push it half out of an edge to make a triangle.

Word

Selected square

None selected: tap a square.

Layout

Keyboard: click the frame, then arrow keys move the selected square (Shift for bigger steps), [ and ] rotate it, 1–4 select a square.

Print

A4 portrait pages. The worksheet has one page per word: eight sketch boxes and a larger box for the final design. The example pages fill the same layout with the current ideas. The cut-out page prints the four squares at your final box size to trace onto black paper.