How is abstract design characterized?

Abstract design is characterized by familiar motifs that are presented in a way that makes them unrecognizable. This style enables artists and designers to take elements from the real world—such as shapes, patterns, and colors—and manipulate them to create works that evoke emotion or provoke thought without necessarily being tied to their original forms. This abstraction can involve simplifying, distorting, or altering these motifs so that they lose their expected representation, leading to a unique and often subjective interpretation by the viewer.

In contrast, geometric shapes are typically characterized by precision, which does not align with the broader and more interpretative nature of abstract design. Similarly, being highly recognizable, as well as providing realistic representations of nature, do not fit within the framework of abstract design, which thrives on ambiguity and interpretation rather than clear identification.