Current Research

Visual Communication in an Electronic Society

Outline
We are promoting research on art and design from the perspective of visual communication as a member of the Media & Design Group. This group is researching new designs for society through the development of electronic media such as Internet, mobile phones, and digital broadcasting. Collecting, arranging, and transmitting information accurately is the foundation for smooth communication while design provides suitable forms for it. This flat transmission sometimes lacks desirable elements like fertility or density. What, then, is the human mode of expression in communication in an electronically networked society? How can we realize it? Our basic research interests lie in this field.
Topics
[1] Information design, development and research of desktop interfaces
Today anybody can be a designer with the aid of the Internet or a mobile phone, both of them tools that are easy and inexpensive to use. Furthermore, user experience is now regarded as one of the most important elements of design. We are developing and researching new interface systems with the aim of producing more profound experiences in Web browsing and desktop operation, referring to experiences in actual space.
[2] Media and art, research on visuality
We are studying the formation and the mode of visuality in an electronic society. Issues put forward by artists provide us with many suggestions in this field. These artists include media critics and are alternative existence. We are also taking note of some unrecognized ideas of engineers who have founded today's computer-rich environment and are investigating the relation between visual information and GUIs.
[3] Study on visual literacy and development of an assistant system for its acquisition
In our society, a large proportion of the information we obtain is acquired visually. However, since techno images can be easily reproduced and operated, it is increasingly common that things may not be quite what they seem: What is seeing and what is understanding through seeing? Because contemporary art works challenge viewers on various levels, viewing art works can be considered a meaningful practice to acquire literacy. Consequently, we are developing assistant systems for viewing art works and for sharing comments, aiming to elevate its meaning.
Future Work
Future work will involve exploring the topics cited above. What meaning does education about images and art have? How does it become possible? I aim to research such themes. In association with them, I will also survey the resources of art and design at Nagoya University and consider how they are used.