Dion Ursino
College Writing II
Christopher Wielgos
2/20/14
Visual Phenomena and Optical Illusions Analysis
Figure 1: Illusion
that is similar to that on the sidebar of the web page.
Hebrew word "VeAT". VISN software
See how it works for yourself!
These
illusions ask its audience to become involved, which seems like a good strategy
for getting people interested in these visuals. In figure one this is just one
of the illusions that is similar to one illustrated on the web page. As
demonstrated, when moving attention away from the image it clearly moves, but
when attention is directed at the image it remains stationary. An illusion is a
thing that is or is likely to be wrongly perceived or interpreted by the senses
(Google definitions). When people see objects/performances in front of them
they may not allows be perceived in the right manner and further analysis must
be done in order to logically think through what is possibly happening. These
illusions presented by Michael Bach allow the audience (students at
universities, anyone else interested in visual phenomenon and eye function ) to
freely explore 108 visual phenomena and optical illusions. I will analyze Michael
Bach’s home web page and how he presents these illusions to support my
arguments on how well Bach displays his web page.
 |
| Figure 2: Moving eyes www.Clker.com |
The
predominant focuses of the home web page are the visuals. Right when someone
opens the web page that person is drawn directly to the abundance of images
presented on the right side. After looking on the right side the viewer then
will look to the text on the left. The home page also has these moving pair of eyes
that follow wherever the cursor moves or is clicked. This may become
distracting at first because once I realized what it did I began playing with
the moving eyes instead of looking at the webpage. However, this little
trick did make me stay on the webpage longer and I felt a bit more connected
with the web page. The text is divided into eight sections: the introduction
and then the illusion categories (motion and time, luminance and contrast,
color, geometric and angle illusions, space, 3D and size constancy,
cognitive/gestalt effects and specialties with faces).
 |
| Figure 3: Home Web Page http://www.michaelbach.de/ot/index.html |
The text and visuals do complement
each other to an extent. This web page allows someone to click either on the
text to view the illusion or one can click on the images in the right hand column.
All of the listed illusions are listed in chronological order, which is a nice
feature to have for the audience. This allows the viewer to match the title of
the trick with the image on the right. However, there is a lot of scrolling
that needs to occur. The first category of illusions is listed on the left by
scrolling down and the images on the right side are higher up on the page,
which makes a person scroll back up. A constant battle of scrolling up and down
occurs because the illusions are not placed directly next to the illusions and
their category. As you can see in figure three the first category (Motion and
Time) is listed on the bottom of the page and the illusions are in the top
right hand corner. As someone scrolls down to look at another category the
visual will not be there to see. Michael Bach should have put the illusions by
each category and used the extra space he has on the right side of his web
page. This would allow him to have short columns of illusions next to each
category instead of four really long columns of images. Without the images this
web page would not be what it is. The visuals make this web page and provide a
mental picture for the viewers. Each visual also brings a sense of excitement
because each one is unique. The text helps clarify how the illusions work, but
at times without the text the viewer is able to see how the illusions work.
When clicking on an illusion the text may appear below the illusion or to the
left of it. The text tells the audience what to see and what to do. It also has
comments and sources. Under the comment section it provides information about
who made the effects and how the illusion works. It also uses scholarly vocab
when describing what visual effects or what illusionary movement takes place.
 |
| Figure 4: Clicking on an illusion http://www.michaelbach.de/ot/index.html |
Professor
Michael Bach teaches at the Universitats-Augenklinik in Freiburg, Germany. He
has composed this web page for educational purposes. Bach is the Head of visual
function. He understands the function and capabilities of the eye. Through his
knowledge and expertise Bach was able to compose this web page with all these
illusions. Through these illusions Bach explains the functions of the eye and
gives credit to all those who have contributed in this field. Bach’s language
and style is very simple. The web page is simple to use and it uses scientific
vocabulary to help understand visual function. Michael Bach’s reputation makes
this web page very credible for all of its viewers.
Overall,
Michael Bach did a great job presenting these optical illusions and visual
phenomena. However, his use of space could have been used more appropriately to
help the viewer. The audience of this web page was able to have an exciting
learning experience because of the visuals that were provided. By viewing these
illusions knowledge about the function of the eye was obtained. A great variety
of illusions was also present that gave the viewer an abundance to choose from.
This web page brought great elation to a learning environment and it kept the
viewer wanting to look at more visuals.
Works
Cited:
Bach, Michael.
" 108 Visual Phenomena & Optical Illusions (Visual
Illusion · Optische Täuschung)." Optical Illusions and Visual
Phenomena. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2014. (http://www.michaelbach.de/ot/index.html)
"Live
Books." Live Books. Wezit Research Group, 2011. Web. 20 Feb. 2014.
(www.books.visnsoft.com)
Sam.
"Animated Blue Cartoon Eyes Clip Art." - Vector Clip Art Online,
Royalty Free & Public Domain. N.p., 19 May 2011. Web. 20 Feb. 2014. (www.clker.com)
