This Moving Heart Illusion by Akiyoshi Kitaoka uses peripheral drift to create the perception that the heart is actually moving when it is completely static.
If you are interested in learning how the Moving Bars Illusion works, scroll down to read more about it.
And check out this other great Moving Heart Illusion, also from Akiyoshi Kitaoka:
Table of Contents
- What is the Moving Heart Illusion?
- How does the Moving Heart Illusion work?
- Some Similar Illusions
- Discovery of the Moving Heart Illusion
- References and Resources
What is the Moving Heart Illusion?
The Moving Heart Illusion is an example of Peripheral drift which is a visual illusion that occurs when the edges of an object or pattern appear to be moving or vibrating, even though the object itself is stationary. This illusion is created by specific patterns that are designed to interact with the visual system in a way that produces the perception of movement.
The moving heart illusion is a powerful demonstration of the brain’s ability to create the perception of movement and change even when there is none. It is also an example of the types of visual illusions that can be used to study the ways that the brain processes visual information and creates our perception of the world around us.
The patterns used to create peripheral drift typically involve high-contrast black and white elements arranged in a circular or spiral pattern. When the pattern is viewed, the edges of the elements appear to be shifting or vibrating, which creates the illusion of movement. The effect is strongest when the pattern is viewed peripherally, meaning that it is viewed using the outer edges of the visual field rather than by looking directly at it.
Peripheral drift is a type of motion illusion, which means that it creates the perception of movement even though there is no actual motion involved. It is thought to be caused by the way that the visual system processes information about the edges and boundaries of objects. The illusion can be used in various contexts, including in art and design, and in the study of visual perception and cognition.
How does the Moving Heart Illusion Work?
The Moving Heart Illusion uses peripheral drift which is a visual illusion that works by exploiting the way that the visual system processes information about edges and boundaries of objects. The specific patterns used to create peripheral drift are designed to interact with the neurons in the visual system that are responsible for processing information about edges and contours.
When the pattern is viewed, the high-contrast elements at the edges of the pattern create a “grating” effect, where the edges appear to be alternating between black and white. This creates a flickering effect at the edges of the pattern that stimulates neurons in the visual system that are sensitive to motion and changes in luminance.
These neurons send signals to the brain that create the perception of movement, even though the pattern itself is stationary. The effect is strongest when the pattern is viewed peripherally, meaning that it is viewed using the outer edges of the visual field rather than by looking directly at it. This is because the neurons that are sensitive to motion and luminance changes are more numerous and densely packed in the periphery of the visual field.
Peripheral drift is just one of many visual illusions that exploit the ways that the visual system processes information about the world. It is a powerful demonstration of the brain’s ability to create the perception of movement and change even when there is no actual motion involved.
The pink heart in the Moving Heart Illusion is commonly associated with love, affection, and care. It is often used to express romantic love, friendship, gratitude, and other positive emotions. In popular culture and social media, the pink heart emoji is often used to convey these sentiments, particularly in the context of romantic relationships and friendships. The pink color of the heart is often associated with sweetness, innocence, and charm. Along with the motion, this creates an amazing effect in the Moving Heart Illusion.
Some Similar Illusions
There are many visual illusions that are similar to peripheral drift used in Moving Heart Illusion the in that they create the perception of movement or change where there is none. Here are a few examples:
- The Rotating Snakes illusion: This illusion features a set of overlapping shapes that appear to be rotating in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, even though they are not actually moving.
- The Pinna-Brelstaff illusion: This illusion involves a set of spirals that appear to be moving in a particular direction when the viewer moves their head or eyes, even though the spirals are actually stationary.
- The Motion Aftereffect illusion: This illusion occurs when the brain perceives motion in the opposite direction of a previously viewed moving stimulus. For example, after staring at a moving image of a waterfall for a period of time, a stationary scene may appear to be moving upwards.
- The Adelson’s Checker Shadow illusion: This illusion features a checkerboard pattern with a shadow over one section that appears to change the brightness of the squares it covers, even though all of the squares are the same color.
These are just a few examples of the many visual illusions that exist. They are useful tools for studying the ways that the brain processes visual information and creates the perception of movement and change.
Discovery of the Moving Heart Illusion
The Moving Heart Illusion was created by Akiyoshi Kitaoka, a Japanese psychologist and visual perception expert who is known for his research on visual illusions and his creation of many famous optical illusions. He is a professor in the Department of Psychology at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan.
Kitaoka’s work has focused on the study of perception, specifically on how the brain processes visual information and creates the experience of seeing. He has developed a number of visual illusions that demonstrate how the brain can be tricked into perceiving things that are not actually there or that are different from reality.
Some of Kitaoka’s most famous illusions include the Rotating Snakes illusion, the Checker Shadow illusion, and his work on the Fraser Spiral illusion. His work has been featured in scientific journals and popular media around the world, and he is considered one of the leading researchers in the field of visual perception.
References and Resources
In addition to the Moving Bars Illusion, check out our complete list of illusions and this awesome Crescent Moon Bridge Illusion and this cool Mona Lisa Bar Illusion and this Moving Bars Illusion.
