We show the shape evolutions of various anisotropic nanocrystals of diamond, wires, and stars. Here, as a model studying strategies for architectural control toward multi-dimensional structures, in specific, we examine the shape evolution of various semiconductor and magnetic nanocrystals and systematically elucidate the key growth parameters for shape determination of materials including Fe2O3, CdS, MnS, PbS and GaP. Crystalline phase control of nuclei during the initial stage and kinetic growth regimes by changing growth parameters are crucial for the determination of the nanocrystal geometry. The resulting size and shape dependent novel properties under quantum mechanical regime are uniquely observed.