VISUAL PERCEPTION: Top-Down Visual Processing

Fig. 1 The Breville Barista Express Espresso machine 

The Barista Express espresso machine (Fig. 1) demonstrates the process by which an action goal is dealt with. While the directed eye movement of the product might be based on the user's experience with an espresso machine, the pattern might be somewhat similar with users who prepare espresso on a daily basis.

The process begins with a few fixations on some of the features of the machine to get a clear overview of what the product is exactly. Once the viewer has identified the object as "espresso machine" after following a pattern of scan paths, he or she might register some "look-ahead" features to have a sense of order when proceeding to making the espresso.

In my personal experience with such a machine, the "just in time" queries go as follows:

Grinder 

Brew group (group head, portafilter, and filter basket) 

Doser

Brew group 

Control panel 

Drip tray 

However, despite the level of expertise of the user, there might be some "look-ahead" queries. An example is noted in this list in bold italics: 

Grinder 

Doser

Brew group (group head, portafilter, and filter basket)

Control panel 

Doser

Grinder

Brew group 

Drip tray

Control panel 

Drip tray 

As demonstrated in the previous two lists, the espresso drinker would follow a top-down visual processing pattern when trying to create their caffeinated drink. Since the product has a number of different components, the user is required to shift their focus from one element to another in order to successfully produce a cup of espresso. By "looking ahead" the user is able to foresee what he or she has to do next. 

Works Cited
Breville USA. The Barista Express. Digital image. Breville. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2012. <www.brevilleusa.com>.