diff --git a/lib/features/modeling/ElementFactory.js b/lib/features/modeling/ElementFactory.js
index f4015de6..e8536540 100644
--- a/lib/features/modeling/ElementFactory.js
+++ b/lib/features/modeling/ElementFactory.js
@@ -23,7 +23,8 @@ ElementFactory.prototype.createWithBpmn = function(elementType, attrs) {
 
   attrs = attrs || {};
 
-  var businessObject = attrs.businessObject;
+  var businessObject = attrs.businessObject,
+      size;
 
   if (!businessObject) {
     if (!attrs.type) {
@@ -31,13 +32,15 @@ ElementFactory.prototype.createWithBpmn = function(elementType, attrs) {
     }
 
     businessObject = this._bpmnFactory.create(attrs.type);
-
-    _.extend(attrs, {
-      businessObject: businessObject,
-      id: businessObject.id
-    });
   }
 
+  size = this._getDefaultSize(businessObject);
+
+  attrs = _.extend({
+    businessObject: businessObject,
+    id: businessObject.id
+  }, size, attrs);
+
   return this.create(elementType, attrs);
 };
 
@@ -55,4 +58,19 @@ ElementFactory.prototype.createShape = function(attrs) {
 
 ElementFactory.prototype.createConnection = function(attrs) {
   return this.createWithBpmn('connection', attrs);
+};
+
+ElementFactory.prototype._getDefaultSize = function(semantic) {
+
+  if (semantic.$instanceOf('bpmn:Task')) {
+    return { width: 100, height: 80 };
+  }
+
+  if (semantic.$instanceOf('bpmn:Gateway')) {
+    return { width: 36, height: 36 };
+  }
+
+  if (semantic.$instanceOf('bpmn:Event')) {
+    return { width: 36, height: 36 };
+  }
 };
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