Multimodal Semiotics and Collaborative Design
Multimodal Semiotics and Collaborative Design
Multimodal Semiotics and Collaborative Design
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
affordances emphasize the interaction between the user <strong>and</strong> the platform. Affordances of the<br />
virtual place emphasize control <strong>and</strong> mediation of interactions with the avatar to maintain<br />
presence, co-presence <strong>and</strong> connected presence in simulated 3D space. At this level, affordances are<br />
concerned with the interaction between the avatar <strong>and</strong> the social world. As mentioned, affordances<br />
<strong>and</strong> constraints are transformed into meaningful action potentials through the practices of the<br />
designers as they evaluate their goals, resources, skills <strong>and</strong> possible limitations. In Table 5.1., I<br />
present <strong>and</strong> categorize the relevant affordances in relation to these two interrelated domains of<br />
user interaction.<br />
Affordances 3 /SL as... Graphical User Interface (GUI) Virtual World (VW)<br />
- Membership/log-in<br />
- Navigation, movement,<br />
- Coordination of<br />
movement in virtual<br />
interaction (walk, fly,<br />
teleport)<br />
space<br />
- Avatar-based interaction<br />
Experiential (Representational)<br />
Affordances<br />
- Avatar creation <strong>and</strong><br />
modification (selfexpression)<br />
in virtual places<br />
(movement, dance,<br />
gestures, etc.)<br />
- Content generation <strong>and</strong><br />
modification<br />
- Visibility <strong>and</strong> perspective<br />
(in-avatar/in-camera)<br />
- Inventory<br />
- <strong>Design</strong> by walking around<br />
Interpersonal (Orientational)<br />
Affordances<br />
Textual (Organizational)<br />
Affordances<br />
- Communication <strong>and</strong><br />
collaborative action (text,<br />
voice, etc.)<br />
- Learning <strong>and</strong> knowledgesharing<br />
- Inventory exchange <strong>and</strong><br />
resource sharing<br />
- Groups <strong>and</strong> communities<br />
(group chat)<br />
- Integration with Web<br />
- Technical features &<br />
limitations<br />
- Customization,<br />
personalization (GUI <strong>and</strong><br />
visibility)<br />
- Search, import/export of<br />
virtual objects (content)<br />
- <strong>Multimodal</strong> interface<br />
elements (text, image,<br />
sound)<br />
- The building (content<br />
generation) interface<br />
Table 5.1. Matrix of SL's affordances <strong>and</strong> domains of interaction<br />
- <strong>Design</strong> together<br />
- Avatar to avatar<br />
interaction<br />
- Social affordances of<br />
avatars, artifacts <strong>and</strong><br />
places<br />
- Symbolic interaction,<br />
iconography<br />
- Communicating objects,<br />
interactive BOTs<br />
- The SL Grid (world-map)<br />
- Persistence of the world,<br />
openness to modification<br />
<strong>and</strong> replication<br />
- Organization of artifacts<br />
<strong>and</strong> places by building<br />
blocks (prims)<br />
- <strong>Multimodal</strong><br />
arrangements (image,<br />
text, sound, 3D)<br />
- Open <strong>and</strong> closed space in<br />
virtual places<br />
3 Affordances is understood as ’meaning <strong>and</strong>/or action potentials’<br />
110