2020’s Best Optical Illusions Will Distract You From The Inferno Of The Year
Image via Shutterstock
You wish 2020 was just one giant illusion. Alas, that’s not the case. If you still have some bandwidth for confusion, the Best Illusion of the Year Contest, launched by the Neural Correlate Society (NCS), has just announced its top puzzles that bedazzled visual scientists, ophthalmologists, neurologists, and artists from around the world.
This year, mathematician Kokichi Sugihara of Meiji University reigned as the top illusionist with his 3D transformation of a famous 2D staircase puzzle.
The NCS explained that studying optical illusions is vital, as it helps scientists understand brain mechanisms and sensory perception, which in turn gives them more insight on how to better manage ophthalmic and neurological diseases.
These illusions are not as soul-sucking as the ones handed to the world this year, but they’re pretty confounding nonetheless. Take a look at the three best optical illusions from 2020 below, and view all top 10 submissions here.
3D Schröder Staircase by Kokichi Sugihara
Does this staircase puzzle look familiar to you? That’s because this year’s winning illusion is a take on the classic Schröder’s stairs conundrum, which both depicts a descending staircase and an upside-down flight of stairs. Mathematician Kokichi Sugihara managed to make it more trippy by recreating it in 3D. When spun 180 degrees around, the staircase still looks like it’s descending from left to right.
The Real Thing?? by Matt Pritchard
Mirrors often feature in optical illusions, but you’ll soon discover that the one in Matt Pritchard’s creation isn’t a typical mirror.
Impossible grid typography by Daniël Maarleveld
Talk about variable fonts. Daniël Maarleveld baffles with his 3D animated grid typography—the longer you stare, the more unsure you’ll be if the letters are rigid, flexible, concave, convex, or spinning in one direction.
[via Gizmodo, cover image via Shutterstock]
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