What does a sightline study primarily determine?

A sightline study primarily determines the optimal seating layout and screen position within a venue to ensure that all audience members have an unobstructed view of the screen or stage. This study considers factors such as the height of the seating, the angle of vision, and the placement of screens or displays in relation to the audience. By conducting a sightline study, designers can create a space that maximizes visibility and comfort for the audience, thus enhancing the overall experience of presentations or performances.

While room acoustics, screen resolution, and lighting effectiveness are important aspects of venue design, they do not directly relate to the specific focus of a sightline study. Room acoustics pertains to how sound behaves in a space, screen resolution deals with the clarity and detail of images displayed on screens, and lighting effectiveness assesses how well a space is illuminated for visibility and ambiance. Each of these factors plays a role in the overall design of a venue, but they are distinct from the central purpose of analyzing sightlines.