Can we really trust what we see? In the case of illusory innovations, such as those shown in this cluster, the answer is often no, regardless of how hard you struggle to make sense of certain images and designs.
Designers are continuing to capitalize on this fact, too, perhaps because the struggle to connect what you see and what you understand draws more engagement from the viewer or customer. Take a break from reality and trick your eyes and mind with this collection of illusory innovations, which includes everything from gravity-defying wine bottles to motion sickness furniture.
57 Intense Illusions
Illusory Innovations, from Optical Illusion Seating to Hallucinogenic Decor:
Katherinev123 — Apr 19, 2010 — Art & Design
57
Optical Illusion Body Painting
Creative Paint Job Turns Three People Into the Image of a Tiger
56
3D Floor Murals
10 Incredible Optical Illusion Designs to Floor Your Friends
55
Illusory Fashion Photography
Brian Walker's Ironic 'Plastic Fantastic'
54
3D Illusory Graffiti
Chalk Ice Age Hits Ireland With Incredible Ice Crevasse
53
3D Illusion Chalk Drawings
52
Optical Illusion Wallpaper
Warped Wall Coverings
51
3D Illusion Chalk Drawings II
The Work of Kurt Wenner
50
Urban Illusion Immersion Paintings
Massive 3D Street Art by Edgar Muller
49
Optical Illusion Photos
Perfect Angle Photography
48
Perfect Angle Photography
Mighty Optical Illusions
47
Reality Shocktography
10 Images You Won't Believe Aren't Photoshopped
46
Intense Optical Illusions
Akiyoshi Kitaoka's Illustrations are Freakishly Intense
45
Illusory Invisible People
Liu Bolin Makes Men Disappear With His Tricky Painting Techniques
44
Optical Illusion Furniture II
B&B Italia Moon by Zaha Hadid
43
Optical Illusion Promotions
McDonald's Coffee Heats Up the Advertising World
42
Optical Illusion Sportsvertising
Mammoth Mountain Ski Uses Bill(snow)boarding For Attention
41
Optical Illusion Seating
Mathia Bengtsson's Paper Chair is a Confusing Delight
40
Garden Vortexes
The Faulders Studio Deformscape Creates an Unorthodox Optical Illusion
39
Complete Living Cubes
Jo Nagasaka Creates Paco, the Ultimate Space-Saving Home
38
Photographic Illusions
Michael Kai's ‘This Side Up' Collection
37
Illusory Death Traps
British Waterways Commissions Street Art to Slow Reckless Bikers
36
Waterfall Furniture
Optical Glass Designs by Tokujin Yoshioka
35
Optical Illusion Bikes
Gustavo Huertas' Op ART Bicycle Design Will Cause Car Accidents
34
Waterfall Sinks 2
CBD Glass Studio Designs
33
Fluttua
Optical Illusion Floating Bed
32
Optical Illusion Furniture
No. 8 Huit Sofa
31
Handsy Photography
Jan von Holleben Mimics Legendary Artists With "The Great Masters"
30
Circloptical Illusions
The Felice Varini Circles Overtake Vercorin, Switzerland
29
Fancy Floatographs
Jan von Holleben Creates Classy Illusions of Floating for 'The Snowbed'
28
Hallucinogenic Photo Shoots
Brent Chua is Enchanting in 'Extreme Solitude'
27
Optical Illumination
Stuart Haygarth's Eyeglass Chandelier is Exquisite
26
Blendtography
Matt Barnes Sells Products With Pictures, Not Words
25
Supreme Fashion
Nicole Richie's Red Carpet Gown Channels Diva Diana Ross
24
Extreme Digital Reflections
Canon Optical Image Stabilizer Ads
23
Geek Chic Illusion Drapes
ASCII Computer Code Curtains
22
Pixelated Graffiti
Mario Chalk Art
21
Optical Illusion Shelves
The Mini Warp Bookshelf by Onur Mustak Cobanli
20
Optical Illusion Curtains
Swarovski VEIL Has Hidden Mona Lisa
19
Motion Sickness Furniture
The Hypnose Sofa
18
Illusory Sneakers
Pierre Hardy's Perspective Cubes Feature a Freaky 3D Pattern
17
Illusory E-Shirts
'See-Thru-Me' Looks Like LED Lights Are Shining Through Your Torso
16
Optical Illusion Knitwear
Cooperative Designs F/W 2010 Collection is Not Easy on the Eyes
15
Optical Illusion Tic-Tac-Toe
The XO Game
14
Acid Trip Exhibitions
Tofer Chin's 'Double Dip' Explores the Creative Possibilities of LSD
13
Optical Illusion Apparel
The Applebum 2010 Orange Box Collection is a Visual Feast
12
Optical Illusion Raingear
Hooded Mackinaw Jacket Appears Demi From a Distance
11
Sprawled-Out Photo Shoots
Monica Barreneche's Illusory Editorial for Summus Magazine #3
10
Hallucinogenic Teapot Decor
The T-Magi Store's Perforated Optical Illusion Wall
9
Gravity Defying Wine Bottles
The Chain Stand
8
Holographic Illusions
The Graphics Lab 360 Light Display is Out of This World
7
Optical Illusion Seating
The All Wood Minja Kolehmainen 'Side Chair' Looks Like Fabric
6
Wall-Mounted Board Games
Straight Up Chess
5
Optical Illusion Collages
Let the Odd Artwork of Eva Eun-Sil Han Amaze Your Eyes
4
Fake Battle Injuries
DIY Clothing Illusion Creates a Gaping Hole In Your Torso
3
3d Illusion Shelves
The Bjorn Jorund Blikstad Imeuble is Inspired by the Rubik's Cube
2
Magical Closets
Rafael Morgan Creates Magician-Approved Clothing Storage
1
Illusionads For Shoes
Scholl Makes Dangerous Slippery Scenarios Safe
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Indie Youth Photography
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McPhotoshopping
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Body Painting Parties
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36 Intriguing Optical Illusions
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20 Augmented Reality & Hologram Innovations
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Intense Optical Illusions
Akiyoshi Kitaoka's Illustrations are Freakishly Intense
20 Crazy McDonalds Finds
From McDiplomas to Baby Ronald McDonalds
Faceless Photography
Anonymous Models Play Hide & Seek for Catalina Bartolome
Futuristic Road Hogs
Miguel Cotto Reinvents the Harley-Davidson Bike for 2020
Faceless Portraits
London College Of Fashion Illustration Students Final Art Projects
Candy Colored Menswear
Ralph Lauren Purple, Polo & Black Label Returns to the Classics
Optical Illusion Promotions
McDonald's Coffee Heats Up the Advertising World
95 Curiously Classy Chandeliers
From Polychromatic Chandeliers to Syringe Chandeliers
43 Nature-Inspired Lights
Earthy Lighting, from Reed-Like Lighting to Flowerpot Chandeliers
8-Story Vertical Gardens
Patrick Blanc Makes Epic Greenery on Walls of Athenaeum Hotel
Peeping Tom Photography
'Someone is Watching You' in Out Magazine
23 Badass Studded Fashions
Biker Chic, from Studded Sunglasses to Skinny Pants
46 Amazing Collages
From Art Collage Bags to Architectural Collages
Decadent Interior Designs
More-Than-Nice Nightclub Designs from Alexa Nice
Puncture-Proof Bikes
Chris Boardman's Olympian-Approved Commuter Bike is Also Theft-Proof
Pink Ballet Corsets
Nicole Richie Works It for Marie Claire UK February 2010 Issue
Vertical Interior Gardens
Urban Cultivation via the Plantwall by Green Fortune
Divine Dens
Alyn Mejia Creates Heavenly Interior Spaces
Edgy Photo Collages
Linder's Punk Art Rocks Photomontage with Feminist Slant
Aluminum Boutiques
Issey Miyake's 'Pleats Please' Shop Uses Car Parts for Interior Conservation
Beer Bottle Decor
Tabby Inc. Hangs Up Empties Chandelier Style
Surrealist Closet Design
A Gaudi-Worthy Bookshelf by DBD Studio
Literal Chandelier Earrings
WLG Classic Heavy Metal Jewelry Delivers on Opulence
Backless Midnight Blue Gowns
This Shimmering Fergie SAG Awards 2010 Dress Takes the Night
Ambient Houses
Kouichi Kimura's Couple & Dog-Friendly Minimalistic Oasis
Optical Illusion Bikes
Gustavo Huertas' Op ART Bicycle Design Will Cause Car Accidents
Eden-Esque Solar Gardens
The Marina South Gardens Shelters With Solar Supertrees
Red Carpet Metallics
Golden Globes 2010 Photos of Stars Who Dared to Shine
Hair Chairs
Dejana Kabiljo's Limited Edition PrettyPretty Seating
Hipster Knitwear
The Juma Fall/Winter 2009 Designs Keep Them Coming Back for More
Gangster Art
Alex Trochut Creates ‘Cultura Urbana' for Thugs and Hip Hop Culture
Fish Scale Skirts
Anna Miminoshvili '2010/11' Collection Delivers on Avant-Garde Details
Hands-Free Umbrellas
The Shoulderbrella Frees Up Your Hands When it Rains
Circloptical Illusions
The Felice Varini Circles Overtake Vercorin, Switzerland
Fancy Floatographs
Jan von Holleben Creates Classy Illusions of Floating for 'The Snowbed'
Super Skintight Knitwear
Lucas Nascimento Knits Unique, Body-Conscious Outfits
Toyrrific Motobikes
Not a Toy, the Julian Silva Motorbike is a Light Weight Concept
Monotone Knit Fashion
The H&M Winter 2009 Campaign With Andres and Liya
Contemporary Architectography
Modern Interiors by Eugeni Pons are Breathtaking
Folding Portable Bicycles
The Bergmoench Backpack Bike is Made for the Mountains
Pixie Stick Tables
The Shibafu Table by Emmanuelle Moureaux Architecture and Design
Stone Smartphones
'Magic Stone' Phone is Like a Mobile Meteorite
Self-Defense Umbrellas
The Unbreakable Umbrella Defeats Rain and Foes
Modern Furniture Medleys
The Frankenstein Chair by Strala is a Exercise in Creation
Space Age Gardening
Omega Hydroponic Garden Lets You Grow Anywhere
Human Interaction Photography
Reno Ranger Captures ‘Love, Hate, Bigotry, Fear & Desire’
Rainbow-Hued Menswear
'Winter Blush' in Fantasticsmag is a Color Explosion in Every Shade
Clementine Couture
Tangerine Dream Pieces for Armani Menswear Spring 2010
Cotton Candy Menswear
Vibrant Pink for Guys at the Emanuel Ungaro Spring 2010 Show
Trapezoidal Knitwear
The Micaela Greg Fall 2009 Line Features Op-Art Apparel
Magical Bookends
The Falling Books Bookend is More Entertaining Than Reading
Optical Illusion Shelves
The Mini Warp Bookshelf by Onur Mustak Cobanli
Arbor-Inspired Space Savers
Shawn Soh's Tree Bookshelf Takes Books Back from Whence They Came
Teamwork Bicycles
The Cojoy Bike Requires Cooperation & Communication from Riders
Collaborating Knitwear
Sonia Rykiel and H&M Team Up for a Parisian Chic Collection
Employer-Sponsored Gardens
Companies Turn to Gardening to Boost Workplace Morale
Manimal Photography
Jan von Holleben's Cut and Paste Animal and Man Illustrate their Bond
iPhone Illusions
iClooly Alumnium iPhone Stand Creates Mock Mini Mac
Watery Formalwear
Blue Suiting Options for Spring Menswear 2010
Moderntique Shelves
Delight in Stanislav Katz's Decay Shelves
Handshaking Holograms
Group of Japanese Scientists Creates Touch-Sensitive Human Projections
Monstrous Mirrortography
Jan von Holleben's Illusory 'My Army of Monsters' Set
Rainbow Brite Pride Movements
Australia's ‘Wear it with Pride' Campaign
Illusion Shadow Art
Cool Creations Made From Junk Look Like Silhouettes
Tire Gardens
Creative Recycling Brings New Life to Discarded Car Parts
Masonry Chairs
The Andy Martin Associates Weinerchaise is 100% Inspired by Brick
Urban Monsters
Gregor Weichbrodt Illustrates the 'Invasion'
Hot Pink Menswear
Matthew Williamson Goes Bold for Spring/Summer 2010
Children's Novel Landscapes
Get Lost in Ciara Henriques' 'The Secret Garden'
Optical Illusion Raingear
Hooded Mackinaw Jacket Appears Demi From a Distance
Water Blurred Paintings
Gregory Thielker Creates Realistic Rained-on Artwork
Faceted Jewel Interiors
The Ambient Gem Swarovski Pavilion Resemble a Cut Diamond
Chandelier-Swinging Spreads
'The Fabulous Wolrd of Alber Elbaz' in Vogue Brazil
Rainwater Filtration Systems
Skywater Harnesses Precipitation for Fresh Public Hydration
Hallucinogenic Teapot Decor
The T-Magi Store's Perforated Optical Illusion Wall
Rap Star Street Cruisers
Pharrell Williams Bike Turns Heads, Not Tables
Flying Rain Collectors
The Water Catchers Purifies Natural Water Flows
Updated 1700s Decor
Bergere Chairs Come Back Bigger, Bolder and Brighter
Convertible Bookcases
The Bookspile Bookshelf Features Quirky Configurations
Blackface Photography
Bartek Michalec's 'Negative' is a Study in Contrast
Color Medley Knitwear
Swank Dollar Creates Bright Clothes for Daring People
Supernatural Smartphones
HTC Magic is Quickly Climbing the Competitive Ladder
Modern Machination Art
The Perfect Machine by Lance Letscher Pays Homage to Humans' Love of Tech
Dramatic Floating Shelves
The Hanging Bookcase Gives the Illusion of Gravity-Defying Books
Projector Mirrors
Diesel's 360° Magic Mirror Helps You Buy That Perfect Pair of Jeans
Trampolinesque Garden Structures
Dymaxion Sleep Brings Naptime to the Garden Festival
Robotic Bike Buddies
Never Ride Alone With Joules, the Tandem Bike Partner
Confusing Feline Collages
Landon Metz Artfully Combines the Strange
Optical Illusion Seating
The All Wood Minja Kolehmainen 'Side Chair' Looks Like Fabric
Stemware Chandeliers
A Toast to ‘Cut Glasses' by John Harrington
Sci-Fi Tribal Couture
The Cooperative Designs SS10 Collection Experiments With Knits
Functional Magic Wands
The Fly Stick Van de Graaff Levitation Wand
Chaos Theory Bookends
Random Wood Bookshelf is Literally Random Pieces of Wood
Creative Cutlery Chandeliers
The Gita by Di Classe Uses Utensils to Light Your Space
Brick by Brick Shelves
The Ora-Ito 'Ecco' Unit Lends an Urban Studio Feel to Your Home
Psychedelic Skin
Tim Lahan's Trippy Portrait Collages Will Make You Dizzy
Cultural Cotton Lighting
The Textile Chandelier by Judith Seng is Simple and Sophisticated
Stop-Motion Magic
'Sorry I'm Late' Short Film Documents Fantastical Journey
Diamond Bling Bikes
Custom Built Diamond Studded & Gold Bike Goes for $10,000
Trippytography
Daniel Newman Showcases his Layered 3D Celebrity Portraits
Floral Spillages
The Diana Balmor Garden Overflows the Balmao Jardin Garden Competition
3d Illusion Shelves
The Bjorn Jorund Blikstad Imeuble is Inspired by the Rubik's Cube
Suspended Shining Decor
Group Two Design Presents An LED Chandelier
Superior Shiny Seating
Ron Arad Designs Amazing Metallic Chairs, Now At the Gallery Mourmans
Magic Magazine Messages
Opium Infinity Cover Will Reveal New Words Ever 100 Years
Organic Squiggle Bookcases
The Signature Shelf is Simply Interesting
Illusionads For Shoes
Scholl Makes Dangerous Slippery Scenarios Safe
Car Crash Photography
Nicolai Howalt's Accidental Art is Dark Yet Brilliant
Scatterbrained Collages
Andrew Zarou Uses Mixed Media to Tell a Story at Robert Henry Vintage
Stealth Chairs
Adrian Riemann Takes Seating Inspiration from Military Aircraft
Cubed Glowing Walls
Spice Up Your Home's Interior With an LED Wall Module
Organic Seaworthy Seats
Dutch by Design Offers the Coral Chair
Layered Digital Fadetography
Tim Green Creates Beautiful Art with Wilted Images
Hologram Karaoke
ABBA World Tells Disney World Who's Who
Origami Steel Shelves
The Gilbert13 Fold Shelf Seamlessly Melds into Your Home
Illuminated Drumsticks
TAC Sheds Some Light on the Magical World of Drumming
Squiggly Sound Shelves
The LED Sound Shelf Is A Funky Place for an Audio Collection