Design Research of Chinese Round-Back Armchair Furniture Form Based on Multimodal Measurement

Conventional furniture design predominantly hinges on empirical expertise and subjective appraisal, absent systematic quantitative validation of users’ visual cognition. This research establishes a multimodal quantitative evaluation framework for round-back armchairs that integrates subjective weighting via AHP and objective eye tracking measurements. Four ocular physiological metrics are aggregated using the CRITIC–entropy composite weighting approach to characterize visual attention allocation. PCA distills three core perceptual dimensions, and Quantification Theory Type I constructs a mapping function linking component morphology to perceptual responses. Notable systematic divergence is identified between expert aesthetic preferences and users’ fixation patterns. Backrests govern volume perception, chair rings dominate concise shape perception, and foot stretchers determine stylistic elegance. Low-relief backrests, three-segment curved chair rings and inward horse hoof stretchers yield superior perceptual performance, whereas gooseneck front posts and connecting balusters exhibit trivial marginal optimization gains. A model-derived candidate morphological configuration, A2-B3-C1-D1-E2-F2, is identified with corresponding effect size estimation. This study provides an exploratory analytical framework and methodological reference for promoting the transition from experience-oriented to data-driven traditional furniture design.