An ambigram is a typographical design that remains readable after a transformation happens.

The core function of an ambigram is this:

• I read something
• Something happens
• I can read it again

The “something happens” part is a transformation and it constitutes the typology of the ambigram. There are two categories of ambigrams: geometric and mind.

• If “something happens” to the art, we have a geometric ambigram.
• If “something happens” to the viewer’s mind, we have a mind ambigram.

Definitions

Geometric ambigrams

Rotational ambigram: A typographical design that rotates to its center.
Sub-types: 180°, 120°,90°etc.

Reflective ambigram: A typographical design that reflects to its center.
Sub-types: mirror, lake, diamond.

Slidegram (or translation ambigram): A typographical design that translates (moves) out of the canvas boundary, while the disappearing part of the word appears on the opposite side.
Sub-types: horizontal, vertical, diagonal.

Multigram: A typographical design that uses multiple geometric transformations to the whole word.

Rotatogram: A typographical design that uses rotation to each glyph separately.

Reflectogram: A typographical design that uses reflection to each glyph separately.

Slidogram: A typographical design that uses translation (movement) to each glyph separately.

Jumblegram: A typographical design that uses multiple geometric transformations in each glyph separately.

Mind ambigrams

Perceptual shift (aka. oscillation or middle-form): A typographical design where a letter can resemble two or more letters by taking their middle form.

Last update, November 10th, 2024.