Multimodal Semiotics and Collaborative Design

8.4. Constructing the textual meta-functions: building blocks, spatial
organizations and multimodal cohesion in design elements
This section of analysis outlines the findings on the textual meta-function in the three design cases.
I focus on the organizational coherence of various multimodal units that constitute virtual places
and artifacts as meaningful semiotic texts. The textual meta-function is concerned with the
structural compositions of different modalities and design elements that constitute the virtual
places. Within the analysis of the textual meta-function, I will discuss the spatial organization of
open and/or closed places in relation to their surroundings, the meaning potentials of building
blocks (prims) as structural units, and multimodal cohesion within the organization of prims,
textures and animations as elements of design. I will also focus on how specific textual features are
designed and organized to explore the ways in which the co-designers choose to emphasize
particular affordances and/or constraints to support experiential and interpersonal meaning
potentials.
Three-dimensional organization of the virtual place: divisions and elevations
Textual elements of design include divisions and elevations of the sim and organization of
interaction spaces as functional areas. In Metrotopia, these functional areas were designed to
correspond to particular mediated activities, and most interactive spaces are located on the ground
floor (except the posing studio and other smaller elements). The city is divided into smaller areas
by placing textured mega-prims as streets, and connections between places signify different
sections of a real-world city.
In both Metrotopia and PAL projects, open and closed spaces are used to fulfill various experiential
functions. Connections between these places afford walking, flying or teleporting to specific
locations. In Metrotopia, main connection routes signify city roads, and divide the city into several
functional areas. Open interaction spaces in Metrotopia include the costume bazaar, posing studio
(on the roof of gym), sandbox/park and the main roads 15 ; closed spaces include the Fight Club,
museum, gym, and welcoming area which contain the entry point. On both eastern and western
edges, the main street ends with visual signifiers to inform visitors that the sim ends at that point.
15
Although some of these places are surrounded by other buildings or objects, I describe them as ‘open spaces’ because
they do not have a ceiling plane to avoid avatars to move in the third dimension by flying upwards. ‘Closed spaces’ are
defined by all vertical and horizontal surfaces, such as a room in a house.
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