There is a long history of studies of shape preference using simple abstract two-dimensional shapes. The evidence has confirmed a preference for symmetry, high contrast, and smoothness over asymmetry, low contrast, and angularity. However, the evidence about the role of culture and expertise is inconclusive. We asked a group of 56 expert designers (studying at the IUAV) to draw seven objects on paper and for each provide two versions: a smooth version and an angular version. These stimuli therefore show everyday objects, freely chosen by the authors, drawn with novel shapes. Next, we presented these stimuli to nonexperts. We collected ratings for seven characteristics (“ugly/beautiful, dark/light, complex/simple, heavy/light, old/modern, dangerous/safe, and asymmetrical/symmetrical”) from naive observers (n = 174). The analysis of the rating data confirmed a link between smoothness and beauty as well as a few other associations. We made the database (772 images) including the average ratings openly available to other researchers.

使用简单的抽象二维形状进行形状偏好的研究已有很长的历史。有证据证实，对称性，高对比度和平滑性优于非对称性，低对比度和倾斜性。但是，关于文化和专业知识的作用的证据尚无定论。我们要求56名专家设计师（在IUAV上学习）在纸上绘制七个对象，每个对象提供两个版本：平滑版本和有角度版本。因此，这些刺激显示了作者自由选择的，以新颖形状绘制的日常物品。接下来，我们向非专家介绍了这些刺激。我们收集了收视七大特点（“丑/美丽，黑暗/轻，复杂/简单，重/轻，老/现代，危险/安全，非对称/对称”），从幼稚的观察者（ñ = 174）。对评级数据的分析证实了光滑度与美观之间的联系以及其他一些关联。我们使数据库（772张图像）包括其他研究者可以公开获得的平均评分。