Beyond the Square: Unpacking 2D vs. 3D Psychological Art Design (and My ADHD Brain's Take)
- aethericimages
- Feb 23
- 3 min read
Let's be honest; "psychological AI art design" sounds like something a robot philosopher would scribble on a napkin. But hear me out, especially for those of us who see the world in a million different directions at once (hello, fellow ADHDers!).

I've been working with AI art and Photoshop for a while now, and one question keeps popping up: why do some amazing artists creating really cool stuff not get more attention or followers? Aside from algorithms of media platforms.
My theory? It's the difference between 2D and 3D thinking.
The Square vs. The Cube: A Visual Metaphor
Imagine a cube. In 2D, all you see is a square. It's a simple shape, clear and defined. But in 3D, that square transforms. You can rotate it, explore its depth, and see it from countless perspectives. You understand its complexity.
That's how I see art, especially art aiming to evoke psychological responses. Many pieces stay on the surface, presenting a single, flat idea. It's the square. They're visually appealing, sure, but they don't get the viewer's mind running with questions. For me, my Instagram account
is a good litmus test. The posts that do poorly are usually bland or, oh, it's more of the same old.
The Devil's in the Details (and the Devil is good, LOL)
For me, the real magic happens when you move beyond the obvious. It's about building that

3D experience for the viewer. It's about those subtle details that add layers of meaning and invite exploration.
When I create, I often push the main subject to the background of my mind, focusing instead on the atmosphere, and the hidden elements. What's lurking in the foggy buildings behind the creature? What secrets are hidden just out of sight? If I could expand the scene, what would I find?
It's about creating a narrative that extends beyond the frame, inviting the viewer to ask questions and build their own interpretations. This is where the psychological aspect comes in.
Adding the Unexpected: My ADHD Approach
My ADHD brain thrives on making unexpected connections. I love pulling in seemingly unrelated elements, the strange and the weird, and weaving them into the artwork. It's about finding those hidden threads that most people wouldn't even consider.
This approach often leads to surprising and sometimes brilliant results. It adds a layer of complexity and intrigue that elevates the art beyond a simple visual.
As Danny Devito Said in Its Always Sunny In Philadelphia “I'm going to get weird with it”
Why This Matters
In a world saturated with visual content, it's easy to get lost in the noise. To stand out, you need to create art that goes beyond the surface. Art that invites exploration, provokes thought, and leaves a lasting impression.
Whether you're using AI or traditional methods, consider these questions:
What's the story behind the image?
What hidden details can you add to create depth?
How can you evoke emotions beyond the obvious?
What unexpected elements can you incorporate to add intrigue?
By embracing the 3D approach, you can create art that truly resonates, art that invites viewers to explore the depths of their own minds.
And have fun with it. It would be lovely if I could always live up to my own words here. But failing can be useful as long as you learn from it. And I don't know about you, but my muse divorces me when the fun ends and it becomes work.
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