Whether playing with one's perception or prompting our worst fears, these vertigo-inducing design finds aim to make a strong visual and emotional impact on one's psyche.
From illusionary daredevil photography to cliff-side architecture examples, these diverse design finds are sure to make one's head spin.
While Op Art has been altering the perceptions of countless generations throughout history, daredevil culture has aimed to make art a reality while inducing some of society's most terrifying fears. Whether you're afraid of heights or light-headed at the sight of spinning and hypnotic imagery, you're sure to remember these captivating, shocking and often vertigo-inducing design examples.
A standout from this list is Nils Eisfeld's 'Stairs' image series that captures various spiral staircases. The photographer's portraits are beautiful and hypnotic, instantly leading one's eye down an imaginary and whimsical rabbit hole.
51 Vertigo-Inducing Design Finds
From Overhead Urban Photography to Optical Illusion Art Works:
Jana Pijak — Aug 28, 2014 — Art & Design
50
Vertigo-Inducing Photography
Photographer Dennis Maitland Isn't Afraid of Heights
49
Harmonious Sculptural Staircases
This Sculptural Wooden Staircase Pulls a Space Together
48
Risky Shanghai Rooftop Photography
'On The Roofs' Photograph Hong Kong's Illusive Skyline
47
See-Through Bathroom Floors
This High-End Condo in Mexico Has a Glass Floor in the Washroom
46
Psychedelic Patterned Illustrations
This Animalistic Themed Series is Illusory and Hypnotic
45
Optical Illusion Reflectors
These Luxx Mirrors by Samuel Accoceberry Play with Perception
44
Optical Illusion Furnishings
The Dip Stool by Merve Kahraman
43
Hypnotic Lighting Installations
Onion Skin by Olivier Ratsi Explores Concept of Time and Space
42
Daredevil Landmark Photography
Lucinda Grange Went Great Lengths to Snap These Elevated Photos
41
Surreal Skyscraper Illusions
The Skrapan 3D Street Art Easily Conquers Your Fear of Heights
40
Stunning Aerial Crane Photographs
Wei Gensheng Captures the City of Shanghai Like Never Before
39
Dramatic Spectral Dwellings
The Rainbow House by Ab Rogers Design is a Funhouse Family Home
38
Optical Illusion Staircases
Storage Associati's Disappearing Stairs Have Optimally Placed Beams
37
Balcony Beauty Editorials
The Eurowoman June 2013 Editorial Stars a LV-Clad Josephine Skriver
36
Wooden Strip Staircases
Jouin Manku Designed a Wooden Staircase for a Strasbourg Hotel
35
Vertigo-Inducing Street Shoots
The 'NYC Intersection Series' by Navid Baraty has a Fresh View
34
Forgotten Staircase Photography
This Abandoned Staircase Photography is Whimsical and Artistic
33
Hypnotic Beverage Branding
Bamboozle Wine Packaging Alludes to the Illusion of Infused Flavors
32
Cliff-Hanging Shelters
The Visitor's Center by Nuno Ribeiro Lopes Tests Your Fear of Heights
31
Aerial Cityscape Photography
Navid Baraty Photography Explores New York City From Above
30
Whimsical Illusion Exhibitions
Rehberger's Exhibition Features Optical Illusory Sculptures
29
Towering Building-based Pools
The Sky Habitat Structure is Connected with an Aerial Swimming Space
28
Spiral Wine Cellars
Trap Doors That Lead to a Bounty of Vino Are Perfect for Small Spaces
27
Vertigo Photography
Todd Lapin Lies About Fake Telstar Logistics Company to Snap Pictures
26
Kaleidoscopic Areal Captures
These David Thomas Smith Satellite Photographs Play with Perception
25
Voyeuristic Swimming Pool Abodes
The Jellyfish House Integrates the Swimming Pool into the Home
24
Equilibrium Editorials
The Mischa Barton Donna Moderna Vertigo-Inducing Photo Shoot
23
Vertigo-Inducing Carpets
Watch Your Step on This Optical Illusion Rug
22
Suspended Furniture Installations
Brian Goggin Created This Suspenseful Art Exhibitions
21
Sweeping Sculptural Staircases
This Loft by Amore Architects Offers a Dramatic Undulating Stairway
20
Cantilevered Reed Staircases
Amaral Loft Has a Mesmerizing Means of Ascension to its Second Floor
19
Lofty Fear-Inducing Paintings
Fabio Giampietro's 'Vertigo' Convinces You That You're Falling
18
Hypnotic Orbiting Watches
The Concentra Watch Has a Circular Path to Tell Time
17
Kaleidoscopic Pen Paintings
Artist Daniel Eatock Turns Colorful Ink into Symmetrical Works of Art
16
Whale Spine Stairs
The Vertebrae Staircase is Built of Twisting Modular Backbone Segments
15
Urban Speed Cycling Campaigns
View the Winner's Perspective From the Red Bull Bike Race in Chile
14
Hypnotically Spiraling Staircases
Nils Eisfeld Captured Staircases Sprialing to the Rabbit Hole
13
Never-Ending Spiral Stairs
'Usher Hall' by Speirs + Major Goes M.C. Escher
12
Daredevil Cliffside Captures
David Clifford Has an Adventurous Spirit Immense Photographic Talent
11
Dizzying Stairchitecture
The Michael Craft House is the Last Home You'll Ever Need to Own
10
Sculptural Spiral Staircases
Italian Designer Roberto Semprini Creates Stunning Steps
9
Bird's-Eye Colliery Photography
The Aerial Views Coal Mining Series Captures Largest Manmade Hole
8
Hypnotic Timekeeper Concepts
The Vertigo LCD Watch Eschews Numbers and Hands in Favor of Spirals
7
Radical Cliffside Captures
Jimmy Chin is an Extremely Adventurous Climber & a Great Photographer
6
Heart-Stopping Roof Photography
Ryaboi & Daredevils Take Daring Pictures on Rooftops
5
Panoramic Rounded Gondolas
The Air-Leben Provides a Revolutionary 360-Degree View for Riders
4
Angular Snakelike Staircases
The Orange Staircase Connects Six Floors with Its Snake-Like Body
3
Aerial Stair Climbing Snapshots
Jiyen Lee Creates Collages of People Going Up and Down Steps
2
Breathtaking Glass Bridges
The Glacier Skywalk is Not for Those Who Fear Heights
1
Dizzying Bay Bridge Photography
WordPress Founder Matt Mullenweg Crosses the Bay Bridge Cables
Related Ideas
Venetian-Inspired Museum Designs
The Conceptual Floating Glass Museum is AI-Generated
Illusory Multidimensional Lamps
The 'Drop Light' from SWNA Prioritizes a Shifting Perspective
AI-Generated Real-World Transformations
AI-Artist Who Gives a Unique Design to Real Objects
AI-Generated Retrofuturistic Objects
Vadim Sadovski Uses Midjourney AI for This Series
Elegant Geometric Light Fixtures
Theodora Alfredsdottir Designs the Composition Lights
Anxiety-Reducing Earplug Designs
Matter & University of the Arts London Debut the Helical Earplug
Floating Meditative Pavilion Designs
The Crystal Lake Pavilion by Marc Thorpe Design is Tranquil
Novel Home Security Concepts
Swift Creatives Introduces 'Sculptural Surveillance'
Corrugated Metal Barn-Like Houses
StudioAC Designs a New Home Overlooking Devil's Glen
Aesthetically-Pleasing Computer Peripherals
Fabio Verdelli Design Studio’s DUNE Mouse is Stunning
Ethereal Space-Inspired Lamps
The 'Wormhole' Table Lamp by Will Gibbons is Meditative
Conscious Experimental Furniture Designs
Vaarnii's Whimsical Furniture Was Presented at Tableau
Cactus-Inspired Urban Skyscrapers
This Danish Skyscraper Features a Spiky Facade Design
Twisting Donut-Shaped Bookshelves
The Hullabaloo Bookshelf by Deniz Aktay is Perplexing
Stunningly Bold Mirror Designs
The Aesthetic of Hogai’s Mirrors is Eye-Catching
Winding Treetop Walkways
EFFEKT Completes the First Treetop Walkway in Norway and It's Stunning
Immersive Multi-Sensory Exhibitions
Divina Dalí Combines the Genius of Dalí and Dante Alighieri
Three-Dimensional Art Exhibits
3D Doubt Your Eyes Exhibition Opens in Toronto
Harmonious Helical Coffee Tables
The 'Vortex' coffee table by Deniz Aktay is Elegantly Functional
Traditional Tower-Inspired Lamps
The 'Pagoda Lamp' Takes After Pagodas for a Thoughtful Form
Colorful Standing Statement Mirrors
Hogai Presents a New Range of Vibrant Statement Mirrors
Psychedelic Sculptural Art Installations
The Frank Stella: Recent Sculpture Exhibition Opens in NY
Mountain Sheep-Inspired Attractions
Thilina Liyanage Proposes This Park Observation Deck Design
Aurora-Inspired Vodka Bottles
This Limited-Edition Grey Goose Bottle Mimics the Northern Lights
Rope-Like Dynamic Chair Designs
Miray Ozlem ER Designs the Caterpillar Lounge Chair
Tunnel-Like Wall Lamps
Nicolai Haastrup Creates the Endless Wall Lamp for Design by Us
Minimal Desk Accessories Concepts
The DESKRISK Series Organizes the Working Space
Historic Fashion Try-Ons
The Design Museum's London Fashion Exhibition Integrates AR Mirrors
Bauhaus-Inspired Pattern Collections
Design En Rogue Architecture Recently Debuted Its New Line
Circus Tent-Inspired Holiday Homes
Cubo Design Architect Designs the Circus Home in Japan
Elevated Airy Office Designs
The 'Aerie' Office Sits High Above the San Francisco Landscape
Wearable Avant-Garde Lamps
Rick Owens Presented the Strobe Show Highlighting Bright Helmets
Ambiance-Forward Exhibitions Settings
Paul Stolper Gallery Juxtaposes Brian Eno and Dan Flavin
Immersive Lighting Installations
Occhio Spotlights Innovation & Imagination with New Installation
Intricate Lighting Sculptures
Objects of Common Interest Creates the Lights on Installation
Staged Room Design Projects
Tekla Evelina Severin Presents the Dimensions of Colour Project
Biblical-Inspired Sculptural Furniture
Niamh Barry Presents a Range of Dynamic Lighting
Upcycled Object Exhibitions
Nendo and Daniel Arsham Design, Break, and Create Functional Objects
Calming Orb Lamps
Studio Waah's Orb Lamp is Minimalist and Eye-Catching
Vibrant Multi-Level Office Designs
Gensler Reimagines the Accenture Office Space in Chicago
Candy-Inspired Laminated Artful Furniture
Ezra Ardolino of Timbur Designs the N90N Series
Concept-Driven Public Art Installations
Ivan Toth Depeña Unveils Photon/s in Downtown Charlotte
Illusory Mirror Lamp Designs
The 'Spegla' Mirror Table Lamp Has an Industrial Form
Cosmic-Inspired Lamp Collections
Rollo Studio Presents the New Aureole Collection of Lighting
Perception-Challenging Art Exhibitions
Raise the Moral Studio Presents the Becoming Familiar Show
Nature-Inspired Indoor Playgrounds
Sarit Shani Hay Designs a New Playground in Tel Aviv
Forgotten Theme-Park Art Exhibitions
Luna Luna Presents the Forgotten Fantasy Exhibition in LA
Vertical Formed Lighting Collections
Frédéric Malphettes Designs the Tower Lighting Series
Collectible Circular Design Exhibitions
Isola Presents Nothing Happens if Nothing Happens
Stimuli-Devoid Migraine Treatment Center
Hanczarstudio Designs the MIGRE Migraine Treatment Centre
Cutesy Coiled Floor Lamps
The Helix Lamp by Liam de la Bedoyere Has a Playful Construction
Otherworldly Lighting Fixture Designs
Ross Gardam Uses Dark Disks for This Stunning Design
Light-Inspired Furniture Exhibitions
Lee Broom Presents the New Divine Inspiration Capsule
Productive Mood Lighting Designs
Teixeira Design Studio Presents Moody Lighting for Gantri
Color-Changing Eccentric Turntables
Brian Eno Designs the Turntable II with Unpredictable Patterns
Bright Whimsical Home Accessories
Blue Balcony Design Studio Delivers a Range of Vibrant Decor
Artful Suspended Fashion Exhibitions
Arran Gregory Presents the Invisible Figures Series
Suspended Origami-Like Lighting
The Sora Light by Fung + Bedford for Frandsen is Artistic
Vaulted Structural Telescopic Treehouse
Artistree Home Creates a New Treehouse in Sonoma County
Subterranean Courtyard Galleries
Buzz Designs the Hermit Space Yards in Beijing Park
Immersive Art-Technology Installations
WNDR Museum Boston Will Feature 20 Exhibitions
Cylindrical Cog-Stacking Buildings
This Dutch Building's Eyecatching Design Symbolizes Diversity
Digital City-Inspired Art Works
New Digital Art is on Display in Grand Central Station
Motion Blur-Inspired Rocking Chairs
Muddycap Designs the Fast Rocking Chair with a Visual Illusion
Ethereal Light Designs
Peter Kovacsy Crates "A Sense of Wonderment" with Vestige for Ross Gardam
Geometric Colorful Rug Collections
MUT Design Creates the Giro Rug Collection for Gan
Liveable Artful Pop-Up Installations
Julie Cloos Mølsgaard Creates a Pop-Up Hotel Installation
Mesmerizing Sculpture Exhibitions
Dan Lam Showcases Her Fourth Solo Exhibition Tiled Cosmic Shake
Hovering Illusion Side Tables
Jonas Herman Pedersen Designs the Unique Stilk Side Table
Accessibility-Enhancing Public Art Installations
Isometric Studio Presents Cloud Swing
Dynamic Bookend Lighting Designs
Notchi Architects Designs the Stair Table Lamp for Oblure
Colorful Patterned Infinity Exhibitions
Yayoi Kusama Presents I Spend Each Day Embracing Flowers
Air Purifying Architectural Towers
Studio Symbiosis Designs the Verto Air Purification Tower
Inflated Dynamic Design Exhibitions
Vienna Design Week Hosts the Series Exhibition this Year
Sculptural Contemporary Chandeliers
Ross Gardam Designs the Volant Lighting Installation
Reflective Hemispherical Theater Stages
Muoto Designs the Ball Theater to Evoke a Sense of Utopia
Stingray-Inspired Restaurant Roofs
Atelier Nomadic Designs the Canopy of the Overwater Restaurant
Interactive Weaved Jacquard Installations
A Team of Designers Create the Dung Dkar Cloak Project
Designer-Artist Exploration Exhibits
The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity Debuts an Exhibit
Sleek Structural Lighting Designs
Hania Jneid Designs the Dynamic Emotional Lab Light
Gallery-Like Minimal Home Designs
Daytrip Completes the Interior Design of a Home in North London
Figure 8-Structured House
Silvia Fiarman and Alexis Dornier Design the Loop House in Bali
Spiral-Inspired Minimal Benches
Verónica Mar Designs the Minimal Soul Sculpture Bench
Architecture-Inspired Home Sculptures
Origin Made Spotlights the Spiral and Flight Sculptures
Dynamic Artful Light Fixtures
NORR11 Designs the Ghost Chandelier for 101 Copenhagen
Generously Glazed Spiral Buildings
This Building is Inspired By Czech Glassmaking Tradition
Natural Japanese Art Galleries
Brazil's Yayoi Kusama Gallery Features a Nature-Inspired Design
Crystalline Chinese Museum Buildings
The 'Space Crystal' Building Looks Like An Otherworldly Rock
Mesmerizing Fluid Art Installations
Dutch Invertuals Creates the Flow Fountain Installation
Bauhaus-Themed Contrasting Sofas
Jens Juul Eilersen Designs the Cocoon Sofa for Eilersen
Metal-Wrapped Exhibition Spaces
Trace Architecture Office Creates a Structural Steel Wrap
Conical Glass Pavilion Wineries
Studio Other Spaces Designs the Vertical Panorama Pavilion
Altered Pyramid Concrete Monuments
MCRDV Unveils a New Bright Pyramid of Tirana with IRI
Artful Reflective Art Exhibitions
Rice Roshan Showcases The Space in Between Exhibit
Artfully Inspired Home Renovations
Reflect Architecture Designs the North Drive House in Toronto
Digital Audio-Visual Exhibitions
'Future Shock' by 180 Studios and FACT Magazine is Online
Suspended Mirrored Lighting Series
Benjamin Hopf Designs the Mirror Collection of Lights
Medicine-Inspired Artful Shows
Beverly Fishman Presents the Something for the Pain Exhibition
Psychedelic Flower Print Chairs
Brain Dead and Modernica Collaborated on Side Shell Eiffel Chairs
Inconspicuous Art Museums
Wang Chong Studio Designs a Beautifully Expressive Building
Neo-Brutalist Immersive Audio Experiences
Devon Turnbull Presents the HiFi Listening Room Dream
Demystified Research Design Guides
Ray and Charles Eames Unveil an Eames of Your Own Guide
Futile Material Design Exhibitions
Objective Gallery Presents Please Sit for an Alternate Ending
Gem-Like Sculptural Art Exhibitions
Fred Eversley Showcases Cylindrical Lenses in New York
Destructive Nature Art Exhibitions
Keita Miyazaki Unveils the Keita Miyazaki Exhibition
Cave-Like Discovery-Themed Centers
Studio Gang Designs the Gilder Center in Manhattan
Spiky Inflatable Sculptures
Steve Messam Presents His Sculptures During Clerkenwell Design Week
Perforated Light-Passing Art Installations
The Volvo Circle Pavilion Uses Tyvek Facades
Sensory-Enhanced Workspace Designs
Design ni Dukaan Elevates Workspace Design in Various Senses
Archetypal Conical Light Designs
The Fragile Lamp by Jaume Ramírez Has a Timeless Look
Artful Various Rug Collections
cc-tapis Presents a Range of New Rug Collections in Milan
Campus-Based Cylindrical Glass Sculptures
Zeller & Moye Were Commissioned to Create the Mirage
Kaleidoscope Vibrant Pavilions
Google's Mountain View Features a Halo Pavilion Artwork
Technology Connection Art Exhibitions
Design Agency Here Unveils the Code/Craft/Chaos Exhibition
Sand Dune-Inspired Sculptural Lighting
Moss Presents the Dune Light with Aluminum Shades
Circular Design-Themed Exhibitions
Audi Joins Dezeen on the Domino Act Installation
Nature-Immersive Tranquil Resorts
Stilt Studios Designs the Treehouse Villas in Bali
Stool-Inspired Design Exhibitions
Daisuke Motogi Presents the Hackability of the Stool Show
Vibrant Furniture Collection Expansions
The Sight Unseen Collection Continues to Grow
Sensory Explorative Art Exhibitions
Chromasonic Presents the Making Sense of Color Exhibition
Spiralling Stainless-Steel Cultural Center
Clouds AO Designs the New 010 Building in Fukuoka
Kyoto-Inspired Solo Art Exhibitions
Philadelphia Gallery Displayed Ode to Kyoto and It's Wild Here
Visually Warped Keyboard Caps
Vivaan Singh Designs the Warped New Ergonomic ESC Keycap
Patterned Artisanal Hand-Tufted Rugs
MUT Design Designs the Textural GIRO Rug Series for GAN
Pixelated Furnished Eyewear Stores
Bogdan Ciocodeica Studio Designs the New Lunet Eyewear Store
Human Physio-Themed Lamps
Taras Yoom Designs the Dif Lamp with Physiological Themes
Lightning-Inspired Artful Exhibitions
Ugo Rondinone Presents the Bright Light Shining Installation
Bright Artful Cabinet Collections
Muller Van Severen Introduces the Bridges Collection
Brutalist-Inspired Lighting Capsules
Lukas Peet Designs the Vector Series of Light for A-N-D
Sawtooth Roof Apartment Blocks
Six Degrees Architects and Hip V Hype Design Ferrars & York
Immersive Artful Apartments
Tereza Porybná and Objektor Architekti Design the Ovenecká 33
Hopeful Design Installations
Annemoon Geurts Presents the Evolving Harmony Exhbition
Reflective Urban Art Sculptures
Anish Kapoor Unveils a Look at the Mini-Bean Sculpture in New York
Immersive Breeze Houses
Alya Ola Abbas' Design Was Installed for Dubai Design Week 2023
Multifunctional Angled Apartments
Snøhetta Designs the Vertikal Nydalen Building in Oslo
Repurposed Imperfection-Embraced Buildings
Civic Architects & VDNVP Elevate a Series of Workspaces
Collaborative Sculptural Lighting Series
Feiz Design Studio and Abstracta Join on the Vika Series
Orchestral-Themed Lighting Series
Milan Iluminación Unveils the Symphony Collection of Lights
Digital-Themed Glitchy Visual Wallpapers
JUPIER 10 Presents the Glitch Wallpaper Collection
Staggered Cubic Skyscrapers
OODA Works on a Rising Geometric Skyscraper in Tirana