Why your brain sees faces in clouds—and how we use that in our Mysteries in Colour™ workshop to spark perspective, dialogue, and team connection
Have you ever looked up at the sky and spotted a face in the clouds? Or noticed an animal shape swirling in your coffee foam?
That’s not just imagination. It’s a neurological phenomenon called pareidolia—a powerful pattern-seeking function of the human brain. And at The Art Brewery, we’ve turned it into a catalyst for team connection, creative dialogue, and fresh thinking through our Mysteries In Colour™ workshop.
What Is Pareidolia—And Why Does It Matter in Teams?
Pareidolia comes from the Greek words para (beyond) and eidolon (image). It refers to our innate tendency to perceive meaningful patterns in ambiguous or random stimuli—like seeing a face in an electrical socket or the “man in the moon.”
This isn’t just a quirky brain trick. Neuroimaging studies show that pareidolia activates the fusiform face area, the same region of the brain that responds to actual human faces (Liu et al., 2014; Haxby et al., 2000)¹². It's part of a broader evolutionary advantage: early humans who could quickly spot faces—whether friend or threat—had a higher chance of survival.
But there’s more. Pareidolia also reflects how our brains are wired for meaning-making and connection. What we see is shaped by our experiences, emotions, culture, and unconscious biases.
That’s exactly why we use it in team development.
In today’s workplaces—especially hybrid or remote teams—miscommunication often stems from assuming others see what we see, think what we think, or interpret things the same way. Pareidolia reminds us: perception isn’t universal. It's personal. And that shift opens space for dialogue.
How The Art Brewery Uses Pareidolia in Mysteries In Colour™
In Mysteries In Colour™, teams engage in a creative, immersive activity using hand-crafted abstract inkblots designed to evoke pareidolia.
Each person views the same image—but sees something different. One might spot a flamingo. Another, a dancer. Another, a childhood memory.
The moment participants share what they see, something shifts. Perspectives diverge. Laughter bubbles up. Curiosity awakens. And dialogue begins—not about who’s “right,” but about how differently we each interpret the world.
This isn’t just playful—it’s powerful. Research in social psychology shows that perspective-taking enhances empathy, reduces bias, and improves collaboration (Galinsky et al., 2008; Zaki & Ochsner, 2012)³⁴. In the workplace, it creates a more inclusive environment where people feel heard and valued.
Why This Works for Teams
Mysteries In Colour™ creates a low-pressure, non-judgmental environment—an essential foundation for psychological safety, which has been shown to be one of the strongest predictors of team performance (Edmondson, 1999)⁵.
Instead of forced icebreakers or scripted “trust falls,” this approach invites teams to loosen up, reconnect with their imagination, and engage in meaningful conversation—without the pressure of having “the right answer.”
Here’s what teams experience:
A shift in mindset: From judgment to curiosity.
Deeper trust: As teammates listen and reflect on each other’s interpretations.
A sense of inclusion: Everyone brings something different, and all perspectives are welcomed.
Creative flow: The ambiguity of the inkblots primes the brain for flexibility and problem-solving (De Dreu et al., 2011)⁶.
The result? Real conversations, real insight—and teams that feel more connected, creative, and resilient.
A Team Building Workshop Like No Other
Whether you’re:
Onboarding new team members
Kicking off a strategy or planning session
Reconnecting a team that feels a little distant
...Mysteries In Colour™ is a refreshing, research-backed way to:
Spark fresh perspectives
Strengthen trust and dialogue
Build inclusive communication habits
Delivered by our international team of facilitators, it’s a playful yet profound experience already transforming how teams think, talk, and work together.
Learn More About The Art Brewery’s Creative Team Workshops
The Art Brewery helps organisations restore the human connection at work. Through workshops like Mysteries In Colour™, we help teams move from surface-level collaboration to authentic, people-centered communication.
By blending creativity, psychology, and research-backed facilitation, we help teams unlock trust, creativity, and inclusion—one colourful mystery at a time.
Ready to Unlock Your Team’s Potential?
Let’s bring back human connection.
👉 Book a free consultation to bring Mysteries In Colour™ to your team.
Citations
Liu J, Li J, Feng L, Li L, Tian J, Lee K. Seeing Jesus in toast: Neural and behavioral correlates of face pareidolia. Cortex. 2014;53:60-77. doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2014.01.013
Haxby JV, Hoffman EA, Gobbini MI. The distributed human neural system for face perception. Trends Cogn Sci. 2000;4(6):223-233. doi:10.1016/S1364-6613(00)01482-0
Galinsky AD, Maddux WW, Gilin D, White JB. Why it pays to get inside the head of your opponent: The differential effects of perspective taking and empathy in negotiations. Psychol Sci. 2008;19(4):378–384. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02096.x
Zaki J, Ochsner KN. The neuroscience of empathy: progress, pitfalls and promise. Nat Neurosci. 2012;15(5):675–680. doi:10.1038/nn.3085
Edmondson AC. Psychological safety and learning behavior in work teams. Adm Sci Q. 1999;44(2):350–383. doi:10.2307/2666999
De Dreu CKW, Nijstad BA, Baas M. Behavioral activation links to creativity because of increased cognitive flexibility. Soc Psychol Personal Sci. 2011;2(1):72–80. doi:10.1177/1948550610381789