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Multimodal Semiotics and Collaborative Design

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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

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