The Science Behind Object Recognition: The Science of Object Recognition and the Art of Simplified Forms - Chapter 2

Welcome to the second instalment of this series exploring the fascinating intersection between neuroscience and art. If you missed the first post, check it out here: Chapter 1: How We Recognise the World.

How the Brain Processes Shapes and Objects - The science

Recognition is a rapid, unconscious process. The moment we see an object, our brain immediately begins to interpret its form, compare it to stored memories, and identify it. This is largely driven by the visual cortex, the part of the brain responsible for processing what we see.

Lots go into identifying shapes and objects, but it happens in our brains incredibly fast

The process follows these steps:

1. Edge Detection – The brain first identifies contrasts between light and dark to detect an object's outline.

2. Shape and Pattern Recognition – The brain categorises shapes based on familiarity, using past experiences.

3. Memory Association – The object is compared against known forms, such as a house, a landmark, or a face.

4. Contextual Understanding – Our recognition process is influenced by where we see an object and our expectations of what should be there.

5. Emotional and Personal Connection – Recognition is often enhanced by personal experiences and emotions attached to an object.

   
   

This is why a landmark like Tower Bridge can be recognised instantly, even if it’s reduced to a simple silhouette as in one of my artworks. The mind fills in the blanks based on memory and association, making a few lines and shapes enough to trigger recognition.

While the bridge has been split and rotated, this simple aft of showing the open element of the bridge acts to many as a key prompt as to its identity.

The Role of Visual Hierarchy in Recognition

Our eyes and brain are wired to prioritise certain visual elements over others when processing images. Some key principles of recognition include:

• Contrast – High-contrast elements draw attention first, which is why black-and-white silhouettes are so effective.

• Size and Proportion – The brain instinctively recognises proportions, making distorted or exaggerated forms sometimes harder to identify.

• Focal Points – Recognition is enhanced when a design guides the eye to the most important part of an image.

• Gestalt Principles – These explain how our brain organises visual elements into patterns, rather than seeing isolated parts.

Gestalt Principles in Object Recognition - the last bit of science I promise!

Let's get into the last of these topics as it's a bit more complex.

The Gestalt principles of perception explain why we see forms even when they’re incomplete. These principles include:

• Closure – Our brains fill in missing parts of an image to make it whole. A broken circle is still perceived as a circle.

• Simplicity (Prägnanz) – We prefer to interpret complex images in the simplest way possible.

• Figure-Ground Perception – We distinguish an object from its background, which is why silhouettes are so effective.

• Continuity – Our eyes follow smooth paths, making linear designs and flowing shapes easier to interpret.

  
  

My art leverages these principles of recognition by reducing complex architecture into abstract, simplified forms, encouraging the viewer to complete the image in their mind. A well-designed silhouette engages the brain in active participation rather than passive viewing.

This famous London landmark has been reduced in stages to still create a recognisable image to those familiar with it. Another version has writing over the top to help those less familiar with the building

The Science of Recognition and My Artistic Process

My work explores the boundary between recognition and abstraction. By reducing structures to their most basic forms, I test how little information is needed for the brain to still identify a place or object.

• Selective Reduction – I remove unnecessary details while retaining defining features.

• Emphasis on Shape – I use geometric simplification to maintain recognisability.

• Testing Recognition – Some pieces challenge the viewer by bordering on total abstraction, forcing the brain to actively search for familiarity.

  
  

This balance between clarity and ambiguity makes my work an exploration of both art and cognition. It turns the act of viewing into a moment of engagement—where recognition is not just a passive experience but an active discovery.

So that's a good start of digging deeper into the science of recognition. In the next chapter, we’ll explore the power of simplification in art and design, and why minimalism enhances both aesthetic appeal and cognitive recognition. Stay tuned!