Shapes

The Estonian landscape was shaped by the Ice Age 10,000 years ago. Ice moving in from the north slid across the hard limestone ground of northern Estonia and, as it retreated, left behind boulders. When it reached the softer clay soils of southern Estonia, the slowing ice carved valleys and hills. In this way, nature created the region’s distinctive softly contoured dome landscape. These ancient forms are also echoed in the Estonian brand’s design system.

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Boulders

Boulders are one of the defining features of the Estonian landscape – giant stones carried here by the Ice Age. Over time, people arrived here too, shaping a language and a culture. Boulders have stood firmly in place for thousands of years, just as Estonian nation has stubbornly endured through the crosswinds of history.

A single boulder – like a single Estonian – or a cluster of them can appear unexpectedly, whether in a forest or along the coast. In the design system, boulders can likewise be used either individually or in groups, creating sudden pauses and rhythms.

Kupukivi
Kupukivi
Ukukivi
Ukukivi
Silmakivi
Silmakivi
Saunakivi
Saunakivi
Tõllukivi
Tõllukivi
Tammispea kivi
Tammispea kivi
Võnnukivi
Võnnukivi
Maisiniidi kivi
Maisiniidi kivi
Toolbox

Web design

View guidelines and examples in the design system

Limestones

In the design system, we refer to limestone as a rectangle with rounded corners. Alongside ancient, protected boulders, limestone is a flexible building material for creating something new.

Its simple geometric form and modularity give limestone a wide range of uses in both simple and more complex design solutions.

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Graphic design

View guidelines and examples in the design system

Boulders and limestones, when to use?

For framing images

Use the boulder as an image container to create unexpected compositions.

Use the boulder as an image container to create unexpected compositions.

Using limestone as an image container creates a more balanced result.

Using limestone as an image container creates a more balanced result.

For emphasizing text

Use the boulder as a speech bubble for a short callout.

Use the boulder as a speech bubble for a short callout.

Limestone works well as a format for longer texts that need emphasis.

Limestone works well as a format for longer texts that need emphasis.

Create infographics

The boulder is already a sufficiently illustrative form, so do not add extra elements.

The boulder is already a sufficiently illustrative form, so do not add extra elements.

Use limestone boulders to highlight facts or topics.

Use limestone boulders to highlight facts or topics.

For creating infographics

Boulders allow the creation of distinctive infographics and timelines.

Boulders allow the creation of distinctive infographics and timelines.

Limestone shapes are a reliable choice for creating infographics.

Limestone shapes are a reliable choice for creating infographics.

For creating patterns and compositions

By arranging boulders into clusters, different compositions and patterns can be created.

By arranging boulders into clusters, different compositions and patterns can be created.

By placing limestone shapes in rows and stacking them, patterns can be created.

By placing limestone shapes in rows and stacking them, patterns can be created.

Blur boulders and limestone shapes, just as in real life you focus on the object you are looking at and blur other objects farther away.

Blur boulders and limestone shapes, just as in real life you focus on the object you are looking at and blur other objects farther away.

Remember!

Shape and porpotion

Boulders have a fixed shape and proportion and must be scaled proportionally.

Boulders have a fixed shape and proportion and must be scaled proportionally.

Here the boulder has lost its original shape – a boulder must not be scaled this way.

Here the boulder has lost its original shape – a boulder must not be scaled this way.

Rotate the boulders in 45-degree increments.

Rotate the boulders in 45-degree increments.

When scaling limestone, the corner shape may also change.

When scaling limestone, the corner shape may also change.

The corner radius of limestone shapes must be kept equal.

The corner radius of limestone shapes must be kept equal.

The corner radii of limestone shapes must not be different.

The corner radii of limestone shapes must not be different.

Colours and spacing

Boulders can be used to create compositions and patterns.

Boulders can be used to create compositions and patterns.

By stacking boulders of different colours on top of each other, clusters can be formed.

By stacking boulders of different colours on top of each other, clusters can be formed.

Stacking boulders of the same colour on top of each other must not create new shapes.

Stacking boulders of the same colour on top of each other must not create new shapes.