newLine

eye-tracking based reading experience

A gaze-tracking based reading interface I developed to leverage the capabilities of screen for an embodied reading experience
Details
Context Final project for M.Des studies
My roleInitiator, product designer & developer
The teamMe & Elron Bucai (Hafonton)
Timeline6 months

Overview

The Bottom Line

newLine is a new digital reading format powered by eye-tracking. It scrolls text in sync with the reader’s gaze, creating a reactive and embodied experience for screens and handheld devices.

Initially developed as my master’s project, newLine is now evolving into a pre-seed edTech startup.

The Challenge

Are we reading—or just consuming?

Digital reading is passive, shallow, and filled with distractions. Most tools (e-readers, summarizers, focus apps) solve fragments, but not the core issue.

  • 66%decrease in attention span in the last 20 years
  • 40%of Americans can’t read at a normal level
  • 50%of 8th graders are not proficient readers (2023)

The Mission

Make Reading Great Again

Build a reading experience that restores depth, focus, and flow—on the devices we already use.

  1. Line-based format
  2. Gaze-controlled interaction
  3. Fully reactive and personalized

UX GOALS
  • ▶️ Instant OnboardingJust start reading
  • 👁️ Deep InteractionUtilizing a gaze-based interface
  • 🧭 Natural NavigationOrientation through long texts

Reading with newLine (photo by Dor Kedmy)

Research

The Blind Spot

A COGNITIVE POINT OF VIEW

Deep research into reading-related cognition, has led to a new design paradigm: What if I displayed only the minimal amount of text necessary for reading at all times? with eye-tracking guiding its progression as the reader, well.. reads?

Perceptual Span
A simulation of the average 'reading window' of about 18-21 characters

This led to the idea of a single line of text within a window of 7-10 visible words, that scrolls with the reader's focal point, moving on the horizontal axis of the screen. Could this approach reduce cognitive load, minimize distractions, and offer a more immersive reading experience, while staying within common technical constraints? It felt worth checking out!

USER TESTING

After creating a prototype for my masters' exhibition, I continued to producing deeper user research in partnership with Bezalel's innovation center.

In this test I lead a research that included:

  • 15 participantsThat identified as 'troubled readers'
  • 2 Main KPIsReading speed and comprehension
  • Cross Comparisonof 2 reading methods within the group
  • Personal InterviewsIncluding open ended as well as rating questions

User research scheme - a 1x1 session

I elaborated on this test in a paper written for a conference on higher education - you can READ IT HERE or WATCH THE TALK

Insights

Reading Between the Lines

RESULTS
  1. Result:Comprehension and speed were comparable to paragraph reading
  2. Feedback: SplitSome found it straining, others said it felt “natural” and “like flipping through a book”
Speed and comprehension ratings of newLine vs. a paragraph in reading comprehension and speed

The interview phase of the test was exciting for me as the initiator of this project, and it revealed some interesting feedback:

  1. “It bothered me that I couldn’t completely stop the text with my gaze.”
  2. “I liked that within a second I was able to take control.”
  3. “I don’t think I would use it for reading — simply because of the strain on the eyes.”
  4. “There was something very natural about it — more like flipping through a book and less like scrolling, which feels like a very unnatural action.”

While early results show newLine may assist users with specific reading difficulties, further testing is needed to define who benefits most.

Design

Readefining

1. CONCEPTUALIZING

I began creating linear and interactive lo-fi interactions to create a common language with Elron, the developer who I hired to work with me, that built the first version of the project.

Functionality map of newLine made for creating a common language within the team

2. CORE FEATURES

Linear Text
newLine breaks paragraphs into a continues line of text, canceling line regressions and creating a unique reading experience

Eye Control
newLine is a gaze-based reading interface, that tracks user's eye movement. no scrolling or clicking, just read.

Field of View
Given that peripheral vision is highly sensitive to motion, all moving elements remain within the user’s focal area

Focal Emphasis
The interface highlights the text at the reader’s focal point. This simulates pointer-assisted reading, improving word recognition.

Responsive Breaking
Instead of vertical line breaks, New Line uses pauses between paragraphs to create intentional spacing, maintaining a natural reading rhythm

Linear Orientation
A subtle progress bar helps users track their position in the text for a sense of their progression

Impact

Next Steps

After stabilizing the prototype and launching a webcam-based demo, I’m now exploring newLine as an edTech product:

POTENTIAL USES
  • Hands-free, adaptive readingfor accessibility needs.
  • Engaging digital reading experiencefor students and young readers.
  • eReading platformfor recreational readers

You are welcome to test newLine with your own eyes on any desktop computer fit with a webcam.

designed and developed by Elad Medan 2025