oblikovanje

Oblikovanje is a term used in several Slavic languages, including Slovenian, Croatian, Serbian, and Bosnian, meaning the act or process of giving form or shape to something. It derives from the verb oblikovati, to shape or form, and is formed with the noun-making suffix -ovanje. The root oblik means form or shape.

The core sense of oblikovanje is the transformation of an object, material, or concept into a more defined or useful form. This can be a physical process—such as shaping metal, plastic, clay, or dough—or a broader activity that involves designing, organizing, or configuring features, structures, or ideas. In everyday use, oblikovanje may refer to crafting objects by hand, as well as more systemic processes in industry or design.

In industrial and engineering contexts, oblikovanje typically denotes forming processes that change the shape of a material without full melting. Examples include metal forming (forging, rolling, extrusion, stamping) and plastic forming (thermoforming, injection molding). In design and architecture, oblikovanje refers to the shaping of form and function in products, buildings, or spaces, often balancing aesthetics and usability. In craft traditions, it covers pottery, sculpture, woodworking, and other hands-on activities where the material is given a deliberate form.

As a general concept, oblikovanje encompasses both tangible shaping of physical objects and the more abstract shaping of ideas, systems, or experiences, reflecting a common aim: to render raw material or concept into a coherent, functional, and aesthetically appropriate form.