This presentation describes the methods used in a research project on continuity film editing and its effects on viewer perception. Film editing is considered a form of audiovisual design work in which visual perception plays a significant role. The study analyzes audiovisual design work in terms of nine different visual aspects and four different audio aspects. The audio aspects are the making of a soundtrack to a documentary film sequence, recordings of conversations during observations, and the viewing of the film sequence, as well as an analysis of those recordings. The visual aspects include the editing of the documentary film sequence, recordings of the editor at work (together with an observing researcher) generating video images of the work, and a continuous screen-recording including computer keystrokes. An altered second version of the film in which the edits were altered was created, and both versions were used as stimuli in an eye tracking study with 30 participants. Finally, eye-tracking data was analyzed in terms of eye-movements, and areas of interest, in order to determine the importance of perceptual precision. When perceptual precision is poor, the viewer’s eyes make extra movements to adjust or miss the area of interest, or the viewer’s cognitive load increases. Examples are given in the presentation, and it is suggested that these methods make it possible to identify key audiovisual factors that a film editor considers, which constitute viewer-friendly and viewer-challenging (i.e. ’smooth’ and ‘harsh’) moving image editing. This knowledge has not been documented experimentally before, and understanding how perceptual precision determines viewer-friendly or viewer-challenging film editing is a key factor in helping inexperienced film editors learn how to achieve their audiovisual intentions. It also contributes to the academic understanding of perceptual considerations in design work.