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I Illustrated 2 Extremes That Seem To Oppose Each Other, But In Reality They Need One Another To Form A Full Story (30 Pics)
Both Sides Thinking is a project of over 300+ illustrations, plus dozens of animated GIFs. The aim of the project is to blend philosophy with minimal design, to visualize abstract concepts and ideas through plain black and white visual representations.
Social media has divided people with strong opinions further away from each other. Constant battling between who's right, and falsifying the other. In this series, only black and white are being used. While the 2 extremes seem to oppose each other, in reality, they work as the Yin and the Yang; both sides need each other to form an image, a full story.
More info: bothsidesthinking.com | Instagram | studiobothsides.com
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Easy Or Complex
Final score:
133points
Helen Wood 3 years ago
dogs think about food, toys, walks, hugs, sleeing.... lots of things....
Nujoie Roberts 3 years ago
Damn the dog not even IN his thoughts. We don't deserve dogs as a whole but HE don't deserve HIS dog at ALL!!
I was born and raised in The Netherlands, graduated from Willem de Kooning Academy, Communication and Multimedia Design(Hons), now working as a freelance designer for brands and agencies from Shanghai and Tokyo.
When I am not busy, I like to translate complex philosophies and ideas into simplistic visuals and invent new tools to understand life from different angles.
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#2
Day And Night
Final score:
123points
Saint Lynnie 3 years ago
I can't tell if they are supposed to be hugging or if one is licking the other
#3
Falling Apart Or Falling Into Place
Final score:
118points
Party Poison (They/Them) 3 years ago
Looks like a mountain disintegrating and floating upwards.
I came up with the idea to create these pictographics during my search for the meaning of life. Because it was first written in text form, I found it was only useful for me, so I decided to translate all these insights into visuals, so they can be shared with more people. While it was first showcased with texts, the words were taken out in the end because I realized that everyone has their own interpretations for each visual, and there is no need to force anybody to agree only on a single interpretation, this also explains a little bit about the concept of Both Sides Thinking.
#4
Wait Or Act
Final score:
108points
Kate Johnson 3 years ago
Well, that's exactly what it looks like. Might as well put that on a door to indicate that a toilet is within.
Load More Replies... Lily Francis 3 years ago (edited)
Or, think things through and then follow through. It's good to have a plan and then carry it out.
#5
Birthday Cake And Countdown Clock
Final score:
99points
Михаил Л-Л 3 years ago
Every birthday is just a day we celebrate to forget that we're one year closer to the end.
Mykidsartrocks 3 years ago
As a cancer survivor, I appreciate every extra year on this whole f****d up earth.
Someone literally said "Hymn uses his life to draw down these visuals, it was because of Hymn's search for meaning, he explored life in every possible way. He went to Kenya to do volunteer work, went to Australia and Japan to do organic farming, he tested his limits and finished several marathons and trailwalker, did a few pilgrimages, went to do meditations and vipassana, he went back to university to study philosophy, and had a life and death motorbike accident in Vietnam and so forth, he has always kept his notebook at his side, so that whatever pops up in his thoughts, so he could doodle them and then later re-work them into minimal visuals."
#6
Future And Past
Final score:
97points
Rita Rose 3 years ago
Damn!! I wish I could cut these strings!! My strings are elastic too so I get whiplash when I get pulled back down the rabbit hole of my past!
Lily Francis 3 years ago
The thing is, we're the only ones who keep ourselves there. We can learn to cut those strings. Sometimes you just need sharper scissors and a little help.
Load More Replies...
#7
Expectation vs. Reality
Final score:
96points
Lily Francis 3 years ago (edited)
Actually the battery is life and life is always growing and expanding and we have more to do but that doesn't mean we get more time to recharge our battery. And as we age our battery doesn't charge as well as it used to. That's why we have to be more kind to ourselves and take care of ourselves instead of everyone else for a while.
Load More Replies...
These visuals are like thought triggers, they can be a starter for people to discuss deep and philosophical ideas or the life topics that we all will encounter sooner or later in life. Since there is no model answer, they are free for interpretation. Everyone will get a different message by looking at one of the pictures.
#8
Wall Or Bridge
Final score:
84points
Pieter LeGrande 3 years ago
To my mind the person on the left is about to learn a lesson about gravity.
Lily Francis 3 years ago
It's better to build bridges than build walls. And be careful not to burn the bridges that mean the most to you. And every harsh or hurtful word or action is a brick that helps build a wall of resentment and once they're built, they're hard to tear down or break through. So it's always best to weigh your words before they leave your lips because you can apologize for the rest of your days but they are never forgotten even if they are forgiven.
#9
Emotional And Rational
Final score:
79points
Lily Francis 3 years ago (edited)
I think as long as it's not an overwhelming situation you can use both at same time. I have been able to most of my life but I think it might come from necessity from being abused by a very manipulative, controlling dad.
In short, I am trying to create "Tools for Life Design". During my search for life's meaning, I found that there are no tools out there for me to understand life in an efficient way, I wished there were. Finally, I realized why not create them, so I am looking forward to creating more tools that can inspire people about life and see it from a broader perspective. Welcoming everyone to join this project if interested. More info can be found here.
#10
Lead Or Follow
Final score:
78points
Lily Francis 3 years ago
Sometimes you lead part of the way and sometimes you let someone else take over for a while and then switch again. I prefer to go my own way most of the time.
#11
Love Or Possess
Final score:
76points
#12
Beyond Good Or Evil
Final score:
66points
#13
Work Together Or Against Each Other
Final score:
65points
Rita Rose 3 years ago
Depends what their aim is? To move it up/down or just spin it on the spot
Load More Replies... #14
Universe Or Youniverse
Final score:
59points
Nujoie Roberts 3 years ago
🎶THIS is the DRAWING of the age of aquarius 🎵🎵😂🤣
Load More Replies...
#15
Self Love And Love Others
Final score:
57points
Silver 3 years ago
this honestly says a lot about sacrificing your own happiness to benefit other people and it speaks to me really deeply
Deborah 3 years ago (edited)
I don't think of it a sacrifice. If I give with love, and with my boundaries intact then u can give love freely and receive it too
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Griff 3 years ago
I'm confused... How does their shadow have a filled heart, but ALSO a heart in their hand? The held out heart wouldn't have two shadows...?
Ossandra White 3 years ago
There's not a completely hollow hole through. It's like a children's puzzle with a notch cut out but the board still behind. We can see something is missing from our angle, but from behind and in the shadow, the figure appears completely whole. I believe it is representative of how we give a bit of ourselves and to the outside still look complete but we might need a refill personally too though many don't notice. They think we have extra to give and don't require replenishment.
Load More Replies... #16
Look Down Or Look Up
Final score:
56points
Seth 3 years ago
100 years ago this image would've depicted the figure holding a newspaper; at the time that was the go-to representation of a modern person too caught up in the hustle-and-bustle to appreciate what truly matters in life. Now older generations bemoan the decline of print media, and the smartphone has taken over as the distraction technology scapegoat. What will the figure be holding in another 100 years?
Alexis Dominey 3 years ago (edited)
What if you are able to do both? I would walk through the school halls while reading. Don't put all your focus into one thing, use your peripheral vision.
#17
How Are You And Who Are You
Final score:
54points
#18
Complexity Or Simplicity
Final score:
54points
The pizza girl is here! 3 years ago
If you try solving the maze, you'll see many ways to solve it! Nice detail
#19
Search Inwards And Express Outwards
Final score:
48points
#20
Comfort Zone Or Adventure
Final score:
44points
Elizabeth Truss 3 years ago
As an introvert, I prefer my comfort zone to any sort of adventure 😄
Harone Benchalel 3 years ago
As an introvert, I sometimes prefer adventure when I feel like it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ everyone's different
Load More Replies... #21
Attach Or Detach
Final score:
43points
#22
Passion And Motivation
Final score:
40points
#23
Comfort Zone Or Adventure
Final score:
39points
#24
Parenthood And Childhood
Final score:
39points
#25
Equality And Biases
Final score:
38points
Mochi 2 years ago
Not really. You could make good choices but not necessarily get good outcomes.
Load More Replies... #26
Vulnerable And Eager To Connect
Final score:
36points
#27
Inward And Outward
Final score:
33points
#28
Ancestors And Descendants
Final score:
33points
Chel Bolin 3 years ago
I had trees planted in honor of my parents when they passed. Hopefully they will be around for future generations to enjoy.
#29
Boss Or Leader
Final score:
29points
Harone Benchalel 3 years ago
The boss is nothing without the subordinates, the subordinates don't gain anything without the boss. Supposed to be equivalent exchange but ends up being abuse.
#30
Passive Living Or Active Living
Final score:
27points
#31
Begin And End
Final score:
10points
Pterodactyl in Disguise 3 years ago
A Möbius strip!! You have to go around twice to get to the end. It looks easier than it is
#32
Stories And Human
Final score:
9points
#33
Yolo And Fomo
Final score:
8points
#35
Degenerate And Flourish
Final score:
8points
#36
Hot Date vs. Cold Date
Final score:
7points
Dillon Brown 3 years ago
For some reason I saw this as a game of poker over wine. I was like, is the hot part strip poker?
#37
Pursuit And Void
Final score:
7points
Someone Somewhere 3 years ago
I think every worker feels the pain of chasing financial freedom that seems just out of reach while making someone else financially free.
#38
Caged And Free
Final score:
7points
#39
Nourishment And Leakage
Final score:
7points
#41
Work Together Or Against Each Other
Final score:
7points
Kate Johnson 3 years ago
Or maybe they're nets, not oars, and working together gets them more fish? (I thought they were nets at first glance.)
#42
Identity And Self
Final score:
6points
#43
Work And Life
Final score:
6points
#44
Victim Mindset Or Player Mindset
Final score:
6points
#45
Eco Or Ego
Final score:
6points
#46
Existentialism Or Nihilism
Final score:
6points
#47
Up And Downs
Final score:
6points
#48
Money And Paper
Final score:
6points
Bouche Clay 3 years ago
When paper specifically for bathroom usage became a thing, many people used it as stationary and continued to use the Sears catalog in the bathroom. People thought toilet paper was too nice for its intended purpose.
#49
Real And Fake
Final score:
6points
#50
Peace Or Regret
Final score:
6points
Down With Agent Hedgehog! 3 years ago
If that’s death, I want my money back. I’m going home to galaxy no.376. Earth sucks.
#51
Positive Or Negative
Final score:
5points
Kate Johnson 3 years ago (edited)
But why the fish hook? To indicate that you never know what you'll find on a metaphorical fishing expedition, like 'digging for dirt' on someone? Or what? (I'm not being facetious. With only black and white and no words, every bit is important, and I'm not getting the meaning.)
The pizza girl is here! 3 years ago
I think it is what you meant, I also saw it that way. This is more of an open one. Don't know who downvoted btw, but I don't see a reason why
Load More Replies...
#53
Process And Goal
Final score:
5points
#54
Control And Being Controlled
Final score:
5points
#56
Introvert And Outrovert
Final score:
4points
#57
Racing Time Or Racing Yourself
Final score:
4points
#58
Inner Child And Kidult
Final score:
4points
#59
Home And You
Final score:
4points
#60
Perception And Reality
Final score:
4points
EmCWolf 3 years ago
It's so easy to get caught up in how "good" others seem to have it, but remember that we're only seeing what they want us to.
Kate Johnson 3 years ago
Huh. Maybe it's because of my own issues with body dysmorphia, but I thought it had to do with seeing something positive but perceiving it as a negative, despite it clearly a being positive. I don't know.
Load More Replies...Both Sides Thinking GIF series
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