The Coffer Illusion

At first glance, the Coffer Illusion looks like a pattern of rectangles. But the moment you shift focus, an entirely different image emerges - 16 circles hidden in plain sight.

I couldn’t see them by myself – someone had to point them out to me. Now I can find them, but only if I intentionally change my focus.

I like to use this illusion as a metaphor for how we navigate the world. We often assume we’re seeing things as they are, but in reality, so much remains hidden - until we shift our perspective. And it only needs to be a small shift for entirely new possibilities to emerge.

It’s easy to get stuck seeing only one version of reality, believing it to be the only truth. By recognising our cognitive biases and default habits, it becomes easier to stay open to other ways of seeing.

This is such an important aspect of creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. Shifting perspective isn’t just about seeing differently - it’s about unlocking what was always there, waiting to be noticed.

Drawing helps with this. And so does asking others the question, “What do you see, think and feel?”