#mindblown

By Plural

This story was originally published on iQ by Intel
as part of the Science of Seeing series. In this series, iQ looks at the many ways our perception of technology is evolving, and how technology’s ability to perceive us is shaping the future. We’ll explore innovations that pique our senses and enhance the science of seeing. Head over to the special edition of iQ to read the full series.

Optical illusions exploit the eye’s inner workings and the brain’s ability to correct perceived inconsistencies. It’s one area where machines aren’t as susceptible as humans. These illusions, created by Plural, a design and art collective based in Chicago, play off of the way people detect color, motion, depth, and perspective. And, yes, they’ll blow your mind.

In this illusion, we’ve used perspective to make the cube look like something it’s not, a technique known as anamorphosis. When seen from a different angle, the cube’s true nature becomes clear.

When you stare at the cube in the center of the image, a pink dot will erase the blue ones. That’s an illusion. Don’t believe us? Blink and the pink dot disappears.

This effect, known as afterimage, causes people to see the inverse color of the one they’re looking at. Stare at the dot in the center of the cube for 15 seconds. The black and white image that replaces it will appear at first to have color, even though it doesn’t.

When you overlay two identical patterns, they reveal a new set of patterns. The effect causes cognitive dissonance, making the combined image appear to behave illogically, with some parts moving faster than others. Play around with it.

People perceive depth by combining two slightly different views of the same image. This illusion tricks the brain into seeing 3D by rapidly oscillating between two similar photos.

People see motion by combining static images in rapid succession. In this illusion, six different pictures are combined into one. The overlaying pattern is designed to reveal just one at a time. Move it around to create the effect of motion.

To see depth, the brain measures perspective from front to back, like lines receding into the horizon. Most of the time it’s right. But not in the case of this illusion. You might need to watch it twice.

What if your computer could see like you? A special issue of iQ Science of Seeing. See the stories.