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A while back, we pitched an idea for a logo that was an optical illusion—the kind that looks like one thing or another depending on how you look at it. Things didn’t pan out, but due to our rigorous research for the project, we’ve developed quite a collection of good optical illusions.

I find such images appealing; lots of people do. I think the brain likes to be teased a bit. It’s fun.

For today’s post, I’m going to share some images of designs that make use of perspective-based illusions. These are interesting because they are spatial: a viewer stands in a particular spot and visual cues are exploited to form a 2D image.

On with the Show

This parking garage signage recently won a design award. The graphics are designed to be easily seen by approaching cars. Since they fill the driver’s viewshed – much larger than any sign could be in that space— I’d say they certainly fit the bill.

Human-scale typography is cool, but I think the effects in these interiors are even more impressive. Be sure to check out the rest of the images on this page.

They don’t have much purpose other than aesthetics, but they certainly liven up the space.

Earlier this year, Philadelphia used plastic decals of road obstacles in perspective to slow down drivers in lieu of speed bumps. The illusions proved quite effective—until drivers caught on.

I would slow down for a speed bump, but I would probably slam on my breaks if I thought I saw spikes coming out of the road. I wonder if they caused any accidents?

Lastly, this video of an iPhone application shows how, with a little perspective math, a 2D screen could be made to look like a 3D “hologram”.

The demo turned out to be a fake (the accelerometer is not actually that sensitive), but in principle, it should work. Figuring out the viewer’s angle would be very tricky, though.