The formulation and visualization of 3D avatar design, including three basic theoretical elements: Aesthetic, user experience and psychology

Abstract

This paper presents a different, until now, perspective of aesthetic experience during the process of designing 3D avatars, formulating and visualizing the combination of user-experience and psychology. The present research aims to define 3D aesthetic experience and the relation of HCI (Human-Computer Interaction) through a theoretical model delivering new insights on the process of 3D avatars' design. There is limited research about the procedure and the influences (emotions, mood and external factors) during the process of users designing their three-dimensional (3D) depictions otherwise known as avatars. The provided theoretical model is a combination of the three subjective factors (aesthetics, psychology and user experience) which are interrelated, and are present during such design procedures. The common element that connects all of these areas is Human Computer Interaction (HCI). In each area of interest, on its own, there is relevant and sufficient research. But, to a large extent their common relation to 3D environments has not been explored yet. It is the objective of this paper to explore the aesthetic experience from the designer view, in other words, is defined the 3D aesthetic experience of the user but from the side of the designer. An additional reason of the formulation and the focus on 3D visualization is to simplify the procedure of 3D avatar design while simultaneously embracing the influence of aesthetics, user experience and psychology; which are provided via an overview of existing research, concentrating on the procedure for 3D avatar design. © 2014 Springer International Publishing.