Alex (his name supposedly an acronym for Avian Learning Experiment) eventually learned the names of about 50 objects, knew the numerals from one to six, could perform simple addition and used categories such as similarity and difference, shape, colour and material.

ECONOMIST: Alex the African Grey

Flavour is crucial, but I spend as much time thinking about texture, shape, colour and form.

BBC: Stockholm��s enduring style

Christie's specialist, Jean Marc Lunel, said the Archduke Joseph is prized because it boasts the highest quality of shape, colour and clarity that can be found in a diamond.

BBC: 'Perfect' Archduke Joseph diamond sells for $21m

For example, it is offering a service to mobile-phone companies in which subscribers can go online to change the shape, colour and other features of the case of their new phone.

ECONOMIST: 3D printing

Our brains register colour, shape and then text when it comes to a seeing a brand.

FORBES: Why Picking The Right Color Can Make Or Break A Brand

Clothes that change their colour and shape depending on the wearer's movement are being developed by researchers at a Canadian university.

BBC: 'Computerised fabrics' in clothes could charge phones

She suggested they "celebrate the beauty of diversity in body shape, skin colour, size and age" instead.

BBC: Magazine 'miracle' diets should be 'dropped'