Investigation of the Effect of Symmetry on Observer Behavior with Eye Tracking Technique: The Case of Konya City
Turkish Simetrinin Gözlemci Davranişina Etkisinin Göz İzleme Tekniği İle İncelenmesi: Konya Kenti Örneği
Ruhugul Ozge Gemici1*, Sabriye Özer2, Ayça Hilal Dalgar3
1Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Design, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkiye
2Graduate student in the department of Landscape Architecture, Institute of Science and Technology, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkiye
3Graduate student in the department of Landscape Architecture, Institute of Science and Technology, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkiye
* Corresponding author: ozgeocak@selcuk.edu.tr
Presented at the 7th International Symposium on Innovation in Architecture, Planning and Design (SIAP2025), Gaziantep, Turkiye, Jun 27, 2025
SETSCI Conference Proceedings, 2025, 23, Page (s): 1-8 , https://doi.org/10.36287/setsci.23.2.001
Published Date: 17 July 2025
Symmetry in landscape architecture is a design principle that directs the environmental perception and interaction of users. In this context, a study was conducted in Konya to examine the effect of symmetry on observer behavior. In the study, individuals were asked to examine symmetrical and asymmetrical landscape design photographs using eye tracking method. The eye-tracking method can be used to measure the visual perception of individuals, to determine which elements attract attention in landscape designs and which focal points users are directed to. Within the scope of the research, Mevlana Museum Garden, Konya National Garden, Karatay Urban Park and Alaeddin Hill Park were analyzed. The photographs obtained from these areas were classified as symmetrical and asymmetrical, uploaded to the eye tracking program and eye tracking analyses were performed with 20 volunteer participants. As a result of the analyses, heat maps of the participants' eye movements were created and numerical data of the eye tracking analysis were obtained. Questionnaires were also administered to participants after the eye-tracking analyses. In line with the findings obtained; the effects of symmetrical and asymmetrical designs on user perception were examined and suggestions were developed on how user-oriented design approaches can be used in landscape design.
Keywords - Eye tracking, Konya, landscape design, symmetry, visual perception
Peyzaj mimarlığında simetri, kullanıcıların çevresel algısını ve etkileşimini yönlendiren bir tasarım ilkesidir. Bu bağlamda, simetrinin gözlemci davranışına etkisini incelemek amacıyla Konya kentinde bir çalışma yürütülmüştür. Çalışmada, göz izleme yöntemi kullanılarak bireylerin simetrik ve asimetrik peyzaj tasarım fotoğraflarını incelemeleri istenmiştir. Göz izleme yöntemi ile bireylerin görsel algısı ölçülebilir, peyzaj tasarımlarında hangi unsurların dikkat çektiği ve kullanıcıların hangi odak noktalarına yönlendiği belirlenebilir. Araştırma kapsamında, Mevlana Müzesi Bahçesi, Konya Millet Bahçesi, Karatay Şehir Parkı ve Alaeddin Tepesi Parkı ele alınmıştır. Bu alanlardan elde edilen fotoğraflar simetrik ve asimetrik olarak sınıflandırılmış, göz izleme programına yüklenmiş ve 20 gönüllü katılımcı ile göz izleme analizleri gerçekleştirilmiştir. Analizler sonucunda, katılımcıların göz hareketlerine ilişkin ısı haritaları çıkarılmış ve göz izleme analizi sayısal verilerine ulaşılmıştır. Ayrıca, göz izleme analizlerinden sonra katılımcılara anketler de uygulanmıştır. Elde edilen bulgular doğrultusunda; simetrik ve asimetrik tasarımların kullanıcı algısına etkisi incelenmiş ve peyzaj tasarımında kullanıcı odaklı tasarım yaklaşımlarının nasıl olabileceği konusunda öneriler geliştirilmiştir.
KeywordsTurkish - Görsel algı, göz izleme, Konya, peyzaj tasarımı, simetri
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