Exploring EEG-based Design Studies: A Systematic Review

Background Human experiences are key considerations in design research and practice. Neuroscience techniques allow quantitative measurement of underlying human neurophysiological responses to design. However, despite the importance of electroencephalography (EEG) in performing such quantification, design experiments have not widely applied EEG, limiting the insights that design researchers can produce. Thus, this paper describes the use of EEG in experimentation in various design fields and suggests its integration into design research. Methods This study systematically reviewed experimental design research that utilized EEG in various design domains, such as product design or architecture. Twenty-nine papers were selected using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) method. The selected papers were published in peer-reviewed journals between 2012 and 2022, written in English, and were analyzed for their design, variables, EEG tools and indicators, stimuli, experimental settings, analysis methods, and findings. Analysis was applied through a framework, population, intervention, control, outcome, and setting (PICOS) methodology. Results This paper analyzed EEG-based experiments according to PICOS to provide information about how EEG is used in experimental design research, shedding light on the application of EEG methodology in various design fields, including product design, interior (or architecture) design, and service design. The results show that neuroscience techniques can be used to collect brain data for design research. EEG has been used in various experimental design research fields to explore how an individual user reacts to specific design elements and experience. Conclusions Neurophysiological data retrieved from experiments can be used to develop evidence-based design strategies to improve the design process and design decision-making. The findings in this study contribute to our understanding of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses to design.