Shape joining based on proximity is leveraged in a digital medium environment. For instance, an automated system is provided to detect shape proximity and to implement automated shape joining when shapes are detected within a threshold proximity. In an example implementation, when a first shape is detected within a threshold proximity to a second shape, the described processes automatically calculate a join geometry for connecting the shapes, and automatically apply the join geometry to join the shapes and generate a joined shape. Thus, utilizing the described techniques, shapes of differing geometries can be automatically joined. Further, joined shapes can be edited and transformed in different ways.