This project was developed in the context of the course »Eye Tracking as a Research and Design Tool«. The seminar provided theoretical and methodological foundations in eye tracking, including perceptual psychology, user testing and the use of eye tracking data for evidence-based design. The course focused on understanding visual attention and user behavior in both digital and physical interfaces, with the aim of using eye tracking as a method for evaluating usability and user experience.

The research focused on the online learning platform »Skillshare« and investigated how menu and filter options influence usability and task completion. The core research question was:

»How do menu and filter elements affect user-friendliness and the success rate of goal-oriented interactions on a website?«

To explore this, we compared a live version of the Skillshare homepage with a high-fidelity prototype created in Figma. The hypotheses addressed the speed of information retrieval, user satisfaction and goal completion rates depending on the clarity and accessibility of interface elements.

We analyzed the structure of the Skillshare platform and translated selected areas into high-fidelity Figma prototypes with a focus on navigation and filter elements. A controlled A/B study was conducted in the eye tracking lab, combining visual data with qualitative feedback from questionnaires and interviews.

Heatmaps and gaze patterns revealed differences in how users engaged with interface elements, providing valuable insights into visual attention and usability. The findings informed concrete recommendations for improved navigation flow and clearer UI hierarchy. This process demonstrated the value of eye tracking as a design evaluation tool and sharpened my skills in user research, prototyping and data-driven iteration.

Eye Tracking Hardware: Tobii Pro Fusion (120 Hz, remote lab setup)
Analysis Software: Tobii Studio
Prototyping: Figma
User Research: Questionnaires, Interviews
Collaboration & Planning: Miro, Google Drive
Testing Method: A/B Testing with 7 participants (to ensure 6 valid datasets)

University of Applied Sciences Potsdam (2024),
Team: Theresa Brand,
Mentors: Prof. Dr. Frank Heidmann, Martin Pötter 

This is a fictional redesign project created during a university course. It is not affiliated with or commissioned by Skillshare. All original content and trademarks © Skillshare, Inc. — used here strictly for educational and illustrative purposes.