2d Visual Perception: Elementary Phenomena of Two-Dimensional Perception. A Handbook for Artists and Designers

by Moritz Zwimpfer

The time-related dimension of image perception is increasingly heightened because the sequence of moving pictures is so strongly accelerated by virtue of the very short cuts that it becomes impossible for the viewer to make out the individual elements. Under these conditions he loses every notion of autonomy opposite these images, meaning also that he can be manipulated by. With the aid of more than 200 pictures, elementary phenomena of visual perception are described in this book that one encounters on a daily basis. Brief accompanying texts encourage the viewer to give the pictures his deeper attention in order to consciously experience the phenomena. This book gives a comprehensive, clearly structured overview, and the illustrated examples span from two-dimensional form and color phenomena to the formation of spatial perception up to the influence that emotions and logic have upon perception.

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Erika Mulvenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The purpose of this book is to draw attention to some of the fundamental ways in which the complex process of human perception shapes what we see in two dimensional forms.

I've read a few negative reviews about this book that unfairly point out the lack of scientific or in-depth information, but to be fair the author states in the Foreword that the book is meant to be simple look at visual phenomena, and not a scientific text.

I think this book does an excellent job of making clear how different graphic, two dimensional situations can affect what humans see. By setting the illustrations in such a simple manner on the page (and with minimal text), it is easy to study each separate visual trick and think about why we perceive such simple shapes the way we do. It makes a great companion to go along with any other book (or class) about art and design or visual perception.