Attention, please. Peripheral Vision, Distraction, and Lighting Technology in Low-Light Domestic Environments
Author
Term
4. Term
Education
Publication year
2026
Submitted on
2026-01-19
Pages
33
Abstract
Lighting design standards and practice primarily address visibility and task performance, often prioritising central vision while giving limited attention to how peripheral lighting conditions influence attention and distraction. This thesis investigates how variations in peripheral lighting affect perceived distraction, visual comfort, and focus during a visually demanding task in a low-light domestic environment, while considering individual differences in self-reported attentional tendencies. The study adopts an exploratory mixed-methods, research-through-design approach. Three lighting scenarios were developed that systematically varied peripheral illuminance, contrast, and spectral composition while maintaining a consistent task-focused activity. Data were collected through behavioural observation of gaze shifts, Likert-scale self-reports of focus, distraction, and comfort, and brief open-ended participant feedback. Eight participants took part in the study, representing a range of self-reported attentional experiences. The findings indicate that strong luminance contrast between task and peripheral areas tends to increase attentional monitoring and perceived distraction, even when task visibility is sufficient. Reduced-contrast peripheral lighting supported more stable attentional engagement and higher reported comfort across participants. A coloured peripheral lighting condition produced mixed responses, highlighting a trade-off between atmospheric qualities and attentional saliency. Participants with higher self-reported distractibility showed greater sensitivity to high-contrast peripheral stimuli, whereas reduced-contrast strategies led to more consistent experiences across users.
Keywords
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