Collaborative Media Taxonomy

August 14 2024, 0 Comments

As this course focuses on the role of media or medium in design, let’s begin by thinking about different kinds of media and what they offer. An important aspect is the notion of “affordance.”

affordance
noun, (in Psychology) “A property of an object or an aspect of the environment, especially relating to its potential utility, which can be inferred from visual or other perceptual signals; (more generally) a quality or utility which is readily apparent or available.” (Oxford English Dictionary}

Develop a taxonomy of media and technology according to their affordance. In your analysis, include:

– definition of technology vs media
– elements (i.e. moving image, audio, tactile…)
– unique features (linear, non-linear, exploratory, generative, fixed interaction time, networked, intensity, triggers, duration…)
– range of participation (passive, active, interactive)
– kinds of experience, i.e. linear and non-linear

To do this, work in small groups to map the taxonomy. Confer with one another over the course of the process, and develop a visual media taxonomy system.

This will also be an experiment in working as a large team in the learning environment. You will be asked to share what you found was the “best practice” to exchange ideas and develop work as a cohort.

2018