Joy Lee

Composition in Image Consumption: The Role of Golden Triangle Composition in Modulating Looking Patterns and Visual Memory

My thesis examines the role of image composition in shaping looking patterns and modulating visual memory. Integrating different modes of exploration, my method for tackling this topic includes a review of vision science research and art history literature complimented with the design, implementation, and analysis of my own eye-tracking study. Because scientific experimentation requires asking very specific and focused questions, my research investigates, in particular, one kind of composition – the Golden Triangle, a composition rule derived from the Golden Ratio. Although no significant trends or patterns in viewing behavior were observed, my study supports the hypothesis that Golden Triangle composition elicits higher rates of memory. 

For my visual component, I wanted to illustrate, conceptually, the process I went through to design and implement my eye-tracking experiment. I was also fascinated and inspired by the way that eye-tracking works. Essentially, the screen-based eye-tracker I used shines infrared light into the eyes, illuminating them and causing reflections that are then captured by a camera. These macro images showcase a few of my personal photographs that I used in my experiment, captured through reflections in the eye.

Sector A

Advisors: Zab Johnson (WH), Gregory Vershbow (VLST)