Field-of-Regard

What is Field-of-Regard?

Field-of-Regard encompasses the total viewable area accessible to a user from a fixed position when accounting for eye, head, and neck movements, forming the foundation for immersive experience design.

How does Field-of-Regard work?

While Field-of-View (FOV) measures what's visible when looking straight ahead through a display system, Field-of-Regard considers the comprehensive visual experience available to users as they naturally move their eyes and rotate their heads while remaining in a stationary position. This critical concept influences how developers approach spatial content arrangement, interactive element placement, and narrative progression in immersive applications.

How is Field-of-Regard used?

Architectural visualization applications benefit from understanding Field-of-Regard when determining optimal viewpoints for showcasing interior spaces, ensuring that important design elements remain within natural viewing boundaries.

Similarly, training simulations strategically position critical information within this extended visual range to replicate realistic situational awareness requirements.

By designing with Field-of-Regard in mind rather than focusing solely on the forward-facing Field-of-View, creators can craft more intuitive experiences that align with users' natural perceptual tendencies, reducing cognitive load and enhancing overall engagement with digital environments across various professional and entertainment applications.