ADVERTISEMENT

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

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.

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

Wait Or Act

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#5

Birthday Cake And Countdown Clock

Birthday Cake And Countdown Clock

Report

Add photo comments
POST
mihail_librant avatar
Михаил Л-Л
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every birthday is just a day we celebrate to forget that we're one year closer to the end.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

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."

#7

Expectation vs. Reality

Expectation vs. Reality

Report

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

Wall Or Bridge

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

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

Lead Or Follow

Report

Add photo comments
POST
emcwolfy67 avatar
EmCWolf
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This reminds me of a child learning to branch out from their family. It's an important part of growing up!

View more commentsArrow down menu
#13

Work Together Or Against Each Other

Work Together Or Against Each Other

Report

Add photo comments
POST
reubenleveridge avatar
ritarose avatar
Rita Rose
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depends what their aim is? To move it up/down or just spin it on the spot

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

Universe Or Youniverse

Universe Or Youniverse

Report

#15

Self Love And Love Others

Self Love And Love Others

Report

Add photo comments
POST
silvershrikevibes avatar
Silver
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this honestly says a lot about sacrificing your own happiness to benefit other people and it speaks to me really deeply

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#18

Complexity Or Simplicity

Complexity Or Simplicity

Report

#19

Search Inwards And Express Outwards

Search Inwards And Express Outwards

Report

#20

Comfort Zone Or Adventure

Comfort Zone Or Adventure

Report

#21

Attach Or Detach

Attach Or Detach

Report

Add photo comments
POST
bouche_and_shyla avatar
Bouche Clay
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Either way, the fellow spotting him is toast. Very squished toast.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

Passion And Motivation

Passion And Motivation

Report

Add photo comments
POST
emcwolfy67 avatar
EmCWolf
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a really inspiring little image, it takes work to keep your ideas afloat but it's worth it!

#25

Equality And Biases

Equality And Biases

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#28

Ancestors And Descendants

Ancestors And Descendants

Report

Add photo comments
POST
chelbolin avatar
Chel Bolin
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

Boss Or Leader

Report

#30

Passive Living Or Active Living

Passive Living Or Active Living

Report

Note: this post originally had 60 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

Both Sides Thinking GIF series