Can you design a Rorschach test that's going to make everyone feel something every time - and that looks like a Rorschach test? It's easy to show a picture of a kitten or a car accident. The question is, how abstract can you get and still get the audience to feel something when they don't know what's happening to them?

In this quote, Jason Reitman discusses the challenge of creating something abstract yet emotionally impactful. He uses the example of a Rorschach test, a psychological tool known for its abstract inkblot images, to explore how art or design can evoke strong emotions without being overly explicit. Reitman poses a question about how to create something that triggers an emotional response in an audience while maintaining the ambiguity and complexity of abstract art. His focus is on the challenge of making people feel something deeply, even when they cannot immediately understand or identify what they are reacting to.

Reitman points out that it’s relatively easy to show images that are straightforward and obvious, like a kitten or a car accident, because these are clear and universally recognized symbols that evoke specific emotional responses. However, the true test of design and emotional engagement lies in the ability to create something more abstract—something that elicits an emotional reaction even when the audience cannot immediately identify why or how it affects them. The idea is to engage people at a deeper, subconscious level, much like the Rorschach test does, where the observer's interpretation of the image is influenced by personal experiences and emotions.

The quote reflects Reitman’s broader philosophy of storytelling and design, particularly in film, where subtlety and nuance are often more powerful than overt explanations. He suggests that the most compelling work doesn’t always spell things out for the audience but rather allows them to connect with the content on a more personal and emotional level. The abstract nature of such work invites the audience to engage with their own emotions and interpretations, making the experience more intimate and thought-provoking.

Ultimately, Jason Reitman’s quote speaks to the power of abstract art and design in eliciting emotional responses. It challenges creators to find ways to evoke feelings through complexity and ambiguity, pushing the boundaries of what is traditionally expected from visual or narrative content. By using the Rorschach test as a metaphor, Reitman highlights the emotional depth that can be achieved through abstract means, even when the audience cannot fully articulate why they are moved.