In order to evaluate the sensory perceptions of users who visited a train station, this study aimed to conduct an evaluation of their spatial emotions and identify the distance and type of transfer. For evaluation and verification, emotional recognition and wayfinding types were analyzed according to types in the groups (gender, age, and spatial familiarity) of experimental participants. There were two research questions: “Will the length of movement patterns in the experiment environment vary depending on the types of the participant group?” and “Is there any moderating effect in the interaction between spatial familiarity and the types of the participant groups?” A total of 28 participants were recruited with consideration of gender, age, and familiarity with spatial experience, which were used to analyze the participant groups. The experiment was conducted at a train station, and a vignette was presented to the participants to record the route and pattern of their wayfinding, followed by providing a questionnaire to record their spatial perception. SPSS was used to conduct a T-test, factor analysis, and multidimensional scaling (MDS). The differences in spatial perception were arranged in visual positioning based on emotional vocabulary, and average movement distances in the participant groups were compared in accordance with the type of wayfinding and interaction effect by ANOVA. The results showed that there was a difference in spatial perception depending on the negative emotional vocabulary and type of participant. An emotional positioning map for average comparison was prepared for each participant group (gender, age, and spatial familiarity) by using the factors extracted in the factor analysis (emotional factor, management factor, and aesthetic factor). Female and unfamiliar groups displayed negative results in the emotional factor (F = 7.202, p < 0.05). In addition, male and familiar groups displayed negative results in the management factor (F = 3.058, p < 0.10). In wayfinding, there was an interaction between gender and the resident group based on the status of their spatial familiarity. Through this, it was possible to extract negative emotional evaluations according to the type of participant and the interaction factors for the type and length of the wayfinding.

We investigate the impact of augmented reality (AR) on spatial reasoning and visualization skills in design education by analyzing users’ interaction behaviors with AR environments. Specifically, we examine how prior experience in spatial design influences engagement with AR tools. To this end, we compare the eye movement and operational behaviors of two groups: participants with a background in 3D space design (experimental group) and those without such experience (control group). Participants manipulated virtual objects within real-world environments at a 1:1 scale, and we analyzed interaction frequency, duration, and efficiency using frequency analysis and independent samples t-tests in SPSS 25. The results indicate that, although both groups engaged similarly with AR content, the experimental group demonstrated more precise manipulation and a deeper understanding of spatial relationships, leading to more efficient task completion. These findings suggest that AR-based learning experiences should be tailored to learners’ spatial reasoning abilities to maximize educational benefits. Consequently, educators should design adaptive AR environments that accommodate diverse skill levels to ensure optimized learning outcomes in spatial design education.