Redesigning Tradition Through Metaphor

Shan Gao, MFA ’12

thesis abstract

My thesis explores the use of metaphors as a means to support a better understanding of tradition by employing dynamic media. Despite the positive gains from these new technologies, overly structured digital environments have become barriers separating young people from old traditions, such as characters, festival and ceremonies. My research focuses on how to add new experience or extra dimensions to tradition with dynamic media.

Metaphor is a power tool for interaction design. It helps people to conceive and understand abstract concepts. By conducting a series of experiments studying both visual and behavioral metaphors to redesign tradition, my research investigates metaphors as a means for interpreting concepts of tradition in interactive design.

Download “Redesigning Tradition Through Metaphor” (PDF, 14 MB).