Metaphorical Personae in Digital Communication
Hyunji Jo
Our personality is interpreted differently by different people on digital platforms. To prevent misunderstanding, my thesis questions how we can use design to amplify people’s personalities in digital communication. As a tech-optimist, I believe technology can amplify our most human parts through the data visualization of an analysis of personality. We can then metaphorically communicate our identity to others, an environment that allows us to understand each other better. My project aims to create an environment where users can read each other's personalities and emotions while talking to each other.
Personality is metaphorically visualized through the "user’s home," and emotions as the "weather." While personality is defined through five traits, which are openness, consciousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism, this can be analyzed through machine learning programs during the conversation. As personality is built-in DNA, the architectural form is selected to provide the structured context in the user's home. On the other hand, temporary emotions are visualized through the weather. In short, what you speak represents how you feel and who you are, which helps us understand each other better during video calls.
Who we are should be reflected as honestly in digital communication as it is in person. As we communicate remotely more and more, my project questions how we can humanize that digital communication. Perhaps in the future, I would incorporate diverse digital communications to incorporate multi-persona of the user. To sum up, who we are should be represented without explanations, just by being ourselves.