Ambigrams, Visual Wordplays

An “Ambigram” is a particular typographical word (or group of words) that may be defined as an 'amphibian' visual creation because it occupies at the same time two different reading/meaning planes of a page. The distinctive feature of an Ambigram is that it remains unchanged even when inverted, or reveals the coexistence of a second word when either it is reoriented (by rotation or reflection) or when you simply change your vantage point.

Ambigrams may, in many respects, be compared to the art genre Cubism as you can see and interpret several sides of an object in just 2 dimensions. For most artists, ambigrams are a kind of experimentation and merging of calligraphy/typography and optical illusions. Ambigrams were certainly known in the past. One of the earliest recorded examples is the ‘Chump matchbox’ design published in the magazine Strand within the year 1908.

Types of ambigrams

• The most common type of ambigrams is the “rotational ambigram”. One form is a word or phrase written in such a way that it appears identical even when it is read upside-down. The other form of rotational ambigram is a word or phrase written in such a way that a second different word appears when it is rotated upside-down.

• Another common type of ambigrams is the reflected or “mirror ambigram” which can be symmetrical with respect to a horizontal (lake reflection) or vertical axis (wall reflection).

• The “figure-ground ambigram” is a particular kind of ambigrams where both positive (figure) and negative (ground or interspace) space read as words.

SOME EXAMPLES
Ambigrams can be used in many ways, for instance, many companies feature ambigrams or include ambigram designs in their corporate logos to make their brand more intriguing or attractive. Below are some ambigrams samples of my creation that can be a source of inspiration (please, click on the pictures to see them in action!).

SEE ALSO:
Autokinetic Illusions, Kinegrams, Müller-Lyer Illusion

REFERENCES:
Langdon, John. Wordplay, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Publishers, 1992.

Sarcone's work on Behance
https://www.behance.net/gallery/17260459/Eye-Twisters-the-Magic-World-of-Ambigrams

CITE THIS AS:
Sarcone, Gianni A. "Ambigrams, Visual Wordplay." From Sarcone’s Studio -- A Sarcone & Waeber Web Resource. http://giannisarcone.com/Ambigrams.html