An illusive approach engaging colour, lighting and interior design

Optical illusions challenge the boundaries between physical reality and human perception. Some widely known examples of optical illusions include ambiguous images, impossible objects, colour confusion, and size uncertainty. While optical illusions usually bring in positive experiences for which viewers take pleasure in the surprises, they could also cause disturbance if were applied unintentionally. Design students who specialise in colour, lighting and interior are responsible for creating spaces that communicate and represent their identity effectively. Visual experience is important for indoor spaces since it significantly impacts our interaction with the surroundings. By studying the ways our visual system responds to the external signals and how our brain processes the visual information, students will develop a deeper understanding of the formation of visual perception and its by-product optical illusions. This project presents a case study of visual perception learning through the curiosity, understanding and application of optical illusions in a 5-day, 40-hour design student workshop. The workshop consisted of demonstrating a range of optical illusions, lectures on the fundamental bases of special visual effects, exercises on analysing optical illusion examples, and reimaging an Olympic site into an effective illusion-themed hotel.