tunnettavista

Tunnettavista is a design concept used to describe a deliberate sequence of spaces or interfaces that funnels a viewer’s attention from a confined passage toward a broader, framed view. The term combines the ideas of a tunnel-like enclosure with a vista—an outward-focused view—emphasizing how controlled sightlines shape perception and experience.

Origins and usage: The term is found in contemporary design discussions and speculative theory rather than formal standards. It is applied across physical spaces, such as corridors, gallery pass-throughs, and urban corridors, as well as in digital interfaces and virtual environments where navigation guides attention toward a focal point or horizon. Key characteristics include curated framing, pacing of exposure, and the use of architectural or visual cues to direct the viewer’s gaze.

Applications: In architecture and landscape design, tunnettavista can help create dramatic arrival experiences or reveal distant landmarks. In museology, it can structure gallery routes so that visitors encounter artworks in a sequence that culminates in a deliberate view. In digital design, it informs navigation flows and progressive disclosure of information, where successive panels reveal more of a concept or story.

Reception: Critics argue that tunnettavista can improve storytelling and wayfinding but may reduce exploratory freedom or induce a fixed gaze. Proponents counter that when implemented with accessibility and inclusivity in mind, it enhances comprehension and memorable experiences.

See also: vista, tunnel vision (metaphor), wayfinding, sightlines, visual framing.