Behind the Effects
Explaining the tricks
Puff Puzzle Mang is a small, independent project about the pleasure of looking twice. We draw our own illusions and explain them in plain language.
Why we built this
Illusions travel fast online, often wrapped in claims that they can reveal your personality, measure your intelligence or test your eyesight in seconds. We find the real story more interesting: illusions show how vision relies on attention, context and clever assumptions.
So we reversed the usual order. Every page asks you to look first, with short instructions, and keeps the explanation behind an expandable panel. You decide when you are ready to know.
How we make the images
Our demonstrations are original flat-vector drawings in charcoal, teal and light grey. They are static on purpose: no flashing, no strobing, no countdowns. Each one has a written description so the idea is available to everyone, including screen reader users.
What we will never claim
- That an illusion diagnoses personality, intelligence or health.
- That one way of seeing is better than another.
- That this site can replace an eye examination.
Our reference shelf
We read widely before writing, including Richard Gregory's Eye and Brain, Roger Shepard's Mind Sights, Simons and Chabris's The Invisible Gorilla, the original papers by Penrose and Penrose, and exhibits from science centres such as the Exploratorium. Historical dates on our pages come from these and similar published sources.
Corrections
If you spot an error, please write to [email protected]. We review every message and update pages with a note when we change a fact.