The gas phase is generally defined as a state of matter in which atoms or molecules are in constant, rapid, random Brownian motion. However, a range of techniques exist for preparing distributions of gas phase atoms and molecules whose motion is far from random, and whose orientation in space is well defined. In this Perspective, we will explore the nature of atomic and molecular alignment and orientation, the various techniques by which samples of spatially oriented species may be prepared and characterised, and some of the ways in which oriented molecules are being exploited to further our knowledge of molecular structure and dynamics.