As global urbanization accelerates and the complexity of public spaces increases, the role of visual information in spatial orientation, behavioral decision-making, and user experience has become increasingly significant. Particularly in high-density ...
As global urbanization accelerates and the complexity of public spaces increases, the role of visual information in spatial orientation, behavioral decision-making, and user experience has become increasingly significant. Particularly in high-density information environments such as airports, users are required to identify information and locate themselves within a limited time. However, most wayfinding systems still suffer from information redundancy, disorganized hierarchies, and insufficient directional clarity, which considerably increase users’ cognitive load.
Accordingly, this study adopts the S–O–R (Stimulus–Organism–Response) theory as its core framework and integrates the theories of information processing, cognitive load, ergonomics, and visual salience to construct a cognitive model for efficient visual information transmission in public spaces. In the model, external visual design elements are defined as stimuli (S), users’ cognitive load as the organismic response (O), and behavioral outcomes as the response (R). Time pressure is introduced as a moderating variable to simulate high-stress cognitive conditions in complex environments.
A multi-stage research approach combining qualitative exploration, quantitative modeling, and experimental validation was employed. First, twenty-one potential design elements were identified through interviews and affinity diagram analysis. Second, six key variables were extracted using a questionnaire based on a seven-point Likert scale and causal machine-learning methods to construct the SOR causal path model. Finally, eye-tracking experiments were conducted to verify the interaction effects among variables through fixation duration and task-completion efficiency. The results indicate that information density and the combination of text and graphics exert significant effects on cognitive load and information comprehension, with stronger effects under high time pressure. The effects of information hierarchy and path indication follow closely.
Based on these findings, a three-dimensional design strategy for optimizing visual information in public spaces is proposed: (1) the visual expression dimension:enhancing color contrast, reinforcing text-image juxtaposition, and improving aesthetic harmony to strengthen visual salience and reduce perceptual load; (2) the information organization dimension:optimizing the logical structure through hierarchical design and information-density control; and (3) the spatial orientation dimension:enhancing users’ decision confidence through clarity and coherence of path cues. The proposed strategies were applied to the design optimization of the wayfinding system at Tianjin Binhai International Airport, where user evaluations and eye-tracking heat-map analyses confirmed their effectiveness in terms of visual focus and selection efficiency.
The novelty of this study lies in introducing cognitive load and time pressure into the field of visual information design, thereby revealing the influence of design elements on users’ mental processing. Moreover, by integrating the SOR model with causal machine-learning techniques, the study extends the quantitative research paradigm in design studies. The findings are applicable not only to airports but also to other complex public environments such as subways and healthcare institutions, demonstrating substantial theoretical and practical significance.
Keywords:Visual Information Design; Cognitive Load; Time Pressure; S–O–R Model; Wayfinding System