chao tung project

Concept

Starting separate experiences based on language is the current common practice for digital environments when catering to different cultural groups. Based on commercial expediency, and borrowed across other non-commercial forms, these choices do not encourage cross- cultural communication nor do they reflect the natural ways in which we interact in the real world. Inspired by the conversation between Marco Polo and Kublai Khan in Italo CalvinoÕs Invisible Cities, I am interested in exploring ways in which we can remove the need for language segregation in digital environments thereby encouraging cross-cultural sharing of common experiences. The context of which would be story telling. People of different cultures have met and have shared stories long before the invention of the world wide web, how can we replicate the techniques people use in real life in a digital environment? I believe that engaging and interactive experiences delivered via the web can help bring people of different cultures together across vast distances to engage in the same kind of conversation enjoyed by Marco Polo and Kublai Khan.

I see three clear directions for such an exploration. First, how can narrative be effectively delivered via a digital environment; can we actually improve the act of storytelling by delivering it digitally? Second, when creating the structure for the environment how would we categorize such a large body of data? Would we use facets and if we did how thorough an examination would we follow? If we are encouraging a language independent approach to the usage of this system would that require a visual thesaurus as well? What would be the cultural mindset? Thirdly, how would the user affect the system; can we create spaces that evolve overtime as the nature of the content and interaction change? Lastly, in dealing with a multilingual audience will a new visual language need to be created to enable usage of the environment? How far should the use of this language be created? Should the narrative itself be primarily visual in nature? As pondered by Calvino, which can come first the image of the story or the words?

In this project, I would like to explore how we can design interactive narrative that can be used by the widest possible audience specifically allowing as much use of the environment without a dependence on language. I believe that the work of Calvino and the way we communicate cross culturally in Òreal spaceÓ offers much in the way of examples and inspiration. I believe the solutions available to these challenges can provide models for other projects and I intend to demonstrate these possibilities.

Framework (ongoing)

1. Reworking of previous research on Interactive Narrative. This aspect could run parallel to the actual design applications.

2. Content structure. Study the building of facets and how people categorize visually. Develop at least an understanding of building databases.

3. Building "visual language".Work through solutions to creating a primarily visual storytelling environment.

4. Product iterations. I like the traditional concept of iterative design and hope to allow the growth of this product through iterations thereby keeping a spirit of experimentation and a sense of practicality.