Have you ever taken an optical illusion test? If so, you have probably seen the Rubin vase/profile illusion. This picture tests the theory of visual perception. It uses negative space to draw your eye to two different possible images: a profile of a face or a vase. The figure/ground relationship in the picture uses the black background to project the image of a vase and the white background to create a profile silhouette. This picture is quite a conundrum. To say the image is one figure over the other is disregarding the elements of the picture. The discerning difficulties of this picture arise from the complicated figure-ground relationship. Subconsciously, a viewer will tend to group together images that are alike. This is because the viewer is searching for some sort of organizational pattern or unity throughout the illustration. However, the negative and positive spaces are merged, creating an ambiguous set of figures. Visual perception is ultimately the deciding factor in the translation of the Rubin vase/profile illusion.
Designers have to take into consideration the visual perception of viewers. Designers often refer to the gestalt theory to help remind them of this observational process. The gestalt theory studies the brain’s self-organizing tendencies. The Rubin vase/profile illusion is an example of the practice of this theory. Viewers search for unity throughout the design through the use of positive and negative shapes, contour, figure, and ground. This instinctive process does not solely apply to optical illusions. It is practiced every day. Any design that can be found will lead the brain on an exploration of harmonious form. So exactly which image is being represented in the Rubin illusion? The answer: the characteristics of visual perception.
Image Source: http://www.daviddarling.info/images/vase_illusion.jpg
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