Abstract: Methods of making a predetermined shape from a plurality of uniformly styled letters of a word comprise the steps of measuring each letter in the word to determine how much of a total shape area each letter will occupy; placing a first letter along an outer edge of the predetermined shape; adjusting another letter of the word so that it can be placed against at least one of an edge of the first letter and the outer edge of the predetermined shape; placing the another letter; and repeating the last two adjusting and placing steps until all of the letters have been placed and all of the area of the predetermined shape has been filled. Using the methods, images can be disassembled into separate pieces that can be assembled into words, naming the images, and words can be worked into fixed, space-filled shapes so that there are no pieces left out and each letter is made from only one piece.