Image&Word

How does the millenium generation cope with digital information and interactivity (cf. information literacy) and how can we relate these findings to (educational) web applications’ visual design and information architecture, which are often built on old media models? It is the purpose of this research project to explore new possibilities and modes of interaction by using ‘remediation’ as an explicit design strategy.
With remediation we mean the specific ways in which new media refashion characteristics of old media and the ways in which old media adapt to the challenges introduced by new media. This is an ongoing process of action and reaction.

What defines the millennium generation is their familiarity with the world wide web and other new media from an early age on. This makes them less dependent on old media models, a unique fact.

For this research project a participatory or co-design methodology will be used, resulting in a prototype for a(n educational) web application. Participatory or co-design is employed to empower users and other stakeholders by giving them a voice in the design process of products, work environments and applications. Participatory or co-design is not only cross-disciplinary but also ‘with’ users. In this way, real and often tacit user needs are brought into perspective. We will focus on the following parameters by studying their influence on webapplication’s visual design and information architecture:

• Remediation: online versus old media

• Usability or user-experience?

• Semantic versus social information filters

• Multitasking and interactivity

In close collaboration with CultuurNet Vlaanderen en UitmetVlieg and parallel with the ongoing project ICIS (Infrastructuur & Cultuur Informatie Systeem), we will design and build a(n educational) webapplication together with these partners and tailored to the millenium generation.