AbstractA new method of parameterization, based on areas, is suggested and some results obtained for planar cubic curves are presented and compared with standard methods. The new technique provides a “tight” interpolant, is axis independent and offers shape control via a set of off geometry data points (henceforth called poles) relative to which areas are computed. A simple algorithm for the computation of initial pole positions is given (this is based on obtaining agreement with a standard parameterized curve on the same data and with identical geometrical end conditions). Some additional properties of the parameterization are discussed including its limiting behaviour and its applicability to function draw