Logo Histories

Logo Histories

Illusory Contour Logos

Learn about illusory contours in logo design.

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Richard Baird
Aug 12, 2026
∙ Paid
Osaka Arts Festival, Ohtaka Takeshi, 1965, Japan, Festival

Illusory contours, also known as subjective contours, can be described as visual illusions that evoke the perception of an edge. This can be used to encourage the viewer’s mind to complete images that in reality are only partially formed or loosely inferred.

Logos that use this technique could be …

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