Short answer
When designing visual experiences, particularly those with abstract elements, consider how user expertise might alter their perceptual priorities, moving beyond simple visual salience to engage higher-level cognitive processing.
- Field
- Classic Design
- Source
- PLoS ONE (2015)
- Method
- Experimental observation and quantitative analysis
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Experienced artists, unlike novices, are less influenced by visually salient elements and instead focus on higher-level features like color composition and texture when viewing abstract art. This classic design research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in PLoS ONE. Using Experimental observation and quantitative analysis, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing visual experiences, particularly those with abstract elements, consider how user expertise might alter their perceptual priorities, moving beyond simple visual salience to engage higher-level cognitive processing.
Art Expertise Shifts Visual Attention from Low-Level Salience to High-Level Features in Abstract Art
Experienced artists, unlike novices, are less influenced by visually salient elements and instead focus on higher-level features like color composition and texture when viewing abstract art.
PLoS ONE · 2015
Key Findings
- 01The fixation distribution of artists was more distinguishable from the saliency map than that of novices.
- 02Artists' fixations were less driven by low-level visual features compared to novices.
- 03Artists may extract visual information based on high-level features such as texture and color composition.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing visual experiences, particularly those with abstract elements, consider how user expertise might alter their perceptual priorities, moving beyond simple visual salience to engage higher-level cognitive processing.
How to apply
When designing visual interfaces or artistic pieces, consider creating layers of information or meaning that can be accessed by users with varying levels of domain knowledge, or design for a specific expert audience.
Project actions
- 01When analyzing user behavior, consider the potential impact of user expertise on their interaction with a design.
- 02If your design project involves abstract visuals, think about how different levels of user familiarity might affect their interpretation.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Directly compares expert and novice behavior.
- +Uses objective eye-tracking data correlated with visual salience maps.
Limitations
The study's focus on abstract art might limit its direct applicability to designs with clear functional elements or representational imagery.
Reliability & validity
Reliability could be enhanced by using a larger and more diverse sample of artists and novices. Validity is supported by the objective measurement of eye fixations against a quantitative saliency map.
Think critically
How might the principles observed in art appreciation apply to the design of complex technical interfaces or data visualizations where domain expertise is critical?
Design Principles
"Visual attention is modulated by expertise, shifting from low-level saliency to high-level semantic and compositional features."
Understanding how expertise shapes visual perception is crucial for designers aiming to create impactful visual experiences. This insight suggests that the intended message or aesthetic quality of a design might be better appreciated by a target audience with relevant domain knowledge, or that designers need to carefully consider how to guide attention beyond initial visual pop.
What This Means for Your Design
People who know a lot about art look at abstract paintings differently than people who don't. Experts focus more on the overall design and colors, while beginners are more easily distracted by the brightest or most noticeable parts.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing how user expertise influences the effectiveness of visual design elements in your design project.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
Research indicates that user expertise significantly influences visual perception. For instance, in abstract art viewing, experts demonstrate a reduced reliance on low-level visual salience, focusing instead on higher-level features like composition and color. This suggests that design elements intended for expert audiences may need to prioritize nuanced details over immediate visual impact, a principle applicable to specialized interfaces or artistic creations.
Source
PLoS ONE
Art Expertise Reduces Influence of Visual Salience on Fixation in Viewing Abstract-Paintings
journal · 2015
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about art expertise shifts visual attention from low-level salience to high-level features in abstract art?
- When designing visual experiences, particularly those with abstract elements, consider how user expertise might alter their perceptual priorities, moving beyond simple visual salience to engage higher-level cognitive processing. Evidence: PLoS ONE (2015).
- Why does "Art Expertise Shifts Visual Attention from Low-Level Salience to High-Level Features in Abstract Art" matter for design?
- Understanding how expertise shapes visual perception is crucial for designers aiming to create impactful visual experiences. This insight suggests that the intended message or aesthetic quality of a design might be better appreciated by a target audience with relevant domain knowledge, or that designers need to carefully consider how to guide attention beyond initial visual pop.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing visual experiences, particularly those with abstract elements, consider how user expertise might alter their perceptual priorities, moving beyond simple visual salience to engage higher-level cognitive processing.
- What were the main findings?
- The fixation distribution of artists was more distinguishable from the saliency map than that of novices.. Artists' fixations were less driven by low-level visual features compared to novices.. Artists may extract visual information based on high-level features such as texture and color composition.
- What research method was used?
- Experimental observation and quantitative analysis.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2015 journal from PLoS ONE.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing visual interfaces or artistic pieces, consider creating layers of information or meaning that can be accessed by users with varying levels of domain knowledge, or design for a specific expert audience.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focused solely on abstract paintings, and the findings may not generalize to representational art or other visual design domains. The definition of 'expertise' was based on art professionals.