Abstract
The human eye is the primary receptor for all perceptions related to the design of a space. Using this information to the field’s advantage, design professionals can identify the human’s understanding of a space through the occupant’s visual cues and perception. This research explores design students’ ability to identify the environmental settings that contribute to the attribute of wellness using eye tracking. Prior eye-tracking research analyzing the effects of interior design on wellness has been performed by the University of Economics and Innovations in Lublin, Poland, led by Wioletta Tuszyńska-Bogucka. Based on Ulrich’s theory of supportive design and Malin’s healing environment, participants’ reactions to interior scenes were measured. This pilot study analyzed design and non-design major students’ visual perceptions of wellness through two-dimensional images of spaces. Twelve first-year students voluntarily participated, measuring every eye fixation and time allotted. After viewing each scene, participants were asked to rate the scene on a five-point Likert scale according to how well the scene promoted wellness and provide an explanation of the rating. The data was then visualized and studied with corresponding fixation and heat maps. Among the findings, design students tended to gauge the entirety of the scene rather than the non-design students that focused on the center horizons of the scene. Both groups spent a large amount of time in the center of the scene and then diverted to mainly people, foliage, windows, and signage in the scene. This study can lead to further research on design students’ perceptions.
Presenters
Milagros ZingoniDirector, School of Interior Architecture, University of Tennessee, Tennessee, United States Cecilia Torres-Panzera
Abbie Simon
Student, Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture , University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Eye tracking, Perception, Wellness
