Mobile eye-tracking and interactions with domestic textiles in real world environments

This collaborative paper co-authored by researchers in visual perception at the University of Dundee together with the editors presents the research findings of a mobile eye-tracking experiment at Owlpen Manor in Gloucestershire, which aimed to capture information about the eye-movements of individuals while viewing a furnished room in an historic property. The room that was the focus of the experiment was selected because it is decorated with large painted cloths, dating from the eighteenth century, across three walls. These linen cloths are painted with a range of pictorial motifs including landscape with flora and buildings, figure groups and animals. The experiment involved 14 participants divided into two groups (the first comprising seven individuals with prior knowledge about painted cloths and/or historic textiles, the second seven individuals who had no prior knowledge of painted cloths or historic textiles). Once equipped with mobile eye-tracking equipment, each individual was asked to view the room four times and a new piece of information was presented before each viewing. Analysis of the eye-tracking data suggests that the nature of prior knowledge and/or specific pieces of information has a significant influence on whether and how people approach and engage with historic textiles and interiors.