MGXD Special Edition

Figure 4.3.9

K3 takes a direct approach and relates users’ developing relationship with and experiences in the natural world to the growth of a plant. The more positive and meaningful encounters users have with nature, the larger and taller the AR plant becomes. Users can trace this growth in real-time to the root system visualized below where experiences and details of the experience are stored in a branched pattern. Each experience is shown in relation to the next, allowing for further reflection. Finally, the tracking of experiences in this form helps users visualize opportunities for further exploration.

K4 encapsulates this idea of the garden as a metaphor for life and when creating a garden one needs to consider the aspects that help make it grow. Here each flower represents an experience at a particular location from the surrounding community of users. This visualization and tracking of progress helps users review their own nature experiences, compare their experiences with others, and collect and build on those experiences. To dive deeper into the events, users are able to interact directly with the AR flowers and preview the visual specimens and thoughts captured at that particular location. college.design.ncsu.edu/ thenfinally/pierce/study3-k4.gif

Visual Metaphor

A visual representation of a person, place, thing, or idea that points to particular similarities between them. A visual metaphor uses an image rather than words to make the comparison.

Department of Graphic Design and Industrial Design College of Design, NC State University