HYPER-IMAGE NETWORK? An investigation into the role of text and image in the design of hypertext networks with specific consideration of the World Wide Web By Axel Vogelsang A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design University of the Arts, London March 2008 1 For Hecki 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS HYPER-IMAGE NETWORK? ........................................................................................... 1 Table of Contents .............................................................................................................. 3 Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................... 6 Abstract ............................................................................................................................. 8 List of Illustrations ........................................................................................................... 9 1.0 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 23 1.1 Preface ................................................................................................................. 23 1.2 Terminology ......................................................................................................... 31 1.3 Chapter Overview ............................................................................................... 34 1.4 Literature review ................................................................................................. 47 1.5 Methodology ....................................................................................................... 54 2.0 Writing: Image and Text .......................................................................................... 62 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 62 2.2 Orality and Writing ............................................................................................ 62 2.3 Text versus Image .............................................................................................. 63 2.4 From Text to Hypertext ..................................................................................... 65 2.5 Image Versus Text .............................................................................................. 73 2.6 The End of Alphabetic Writing .......................................................................... 77 2.7 The Beginning of Alphanumeric Writing ........................................................... 81 2.8 Iconic Writing Systems ...................................................................................... 83 2.9 Linearity and Multi-linearity in Hypertext ........................................................ 85 2.10 The Civilization of Illiteracy ............................................................................. 89 2.11 Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 96 3.0 Reading: Language as a System ............................................................................... 98 3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 98 3.2 Man as a Machine – About not Perceiving the Environment ........................... 98 3.3 Constraints, Knowledge and Learning in Self-organising Systems ................ 103 3.4 Language as Embodied Interaction ................................................................. 105 3.5 Images in Language: Metaphor ....................................................................... 108 3.6 Patterns of Meaning .......................................................................................... 112 3 3.7 Chinese Characters ............................................................................................ 115 3.8 Iconic Systems ................................................................................................... 118 3.9 The Metaphysics of Hypertext .......................................................................... 121 3.10 Conclusion ...................................................................................................... 126 4.0 The Interface: After the GUI .................................................................................. 128 4.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 128 4.2 Machines Without a Face ................................................................................. 128 4.3 Dialog Driven Interfaces .................................................................................. 130 4.4 Manipulating Objects on the Desktop .............................................................. 135 4.5 Mimicking the Real World – Metaphor in Computing ................................... 140 4.6 Is Metaphor the Right Metaphor? ................................................................... 144 4.7 Interacting with Icons ...................................................................................... 148 4.8 Alternative Design Approaches ........................................................................ 152 4.9 Beyond Enactive and Iconic Interaction .......................................................... 161 4.10 Competing Metaphors: the Office and the Network ...................................... 166 4.11 Conclusion ....................................................................................................... 169 5.0 Design 2.0: Facilitating Data Flow .......................................................................... 171 5.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 171 5.2 The end of print: Post-alphabetic Design ......................................................... 171 5.3 The Visual Richness of Digital Media ............................................................... 174 5.4 Techno, Drugs and Kai Power Tools ................................................................. 176 5.5 The Web is Writing ........................................................................................... 180 5.6 Flash and the Web ............................................................................................ 187 5.7 Text and Image on the Web .............................................................................. 195 5.8 Web 2.0 and the Free Flow of Data ................................................................. 204 5.9 Who is the Designer? ....................................................................................... 209 5.10 Conclusion ...................................................................................................... 214 6.0 The Designer: A Data Poet ...................................................................................... 217 6.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 217 6.2 Poetry and Topographic Writing ...................................................................... 217 6.3 Visual Poetry, Concrete Poetry and Tag Clouds .............................................. 220 6.4 A Visually Restrained Web ............................................................................... 231 6.5 Procedural Language and the Lyrics of Erection ............................................. 235 4 6.6 The Designer and Digital Media Artist as a Poet ............................................. 241 6.7 Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 253 7.0 Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 255 7.1 Research Question: Text and Image in the Context of Digital Writing and Design ..................................................................................................................... 255 7.2 Findings I: Misconceptions About Digital Writing ......................................... 256 7.3 Findings II: The Role of the Designer Redefined ............................................ 258 7.4 Implications for Future Research .................................................................... 260 Epilogue: Writing as Practice ....................................................................................... 263 Bibliography ................................................................................................................. 265 Artwork, movies and broadcasts ............................................................................ 278 Appendix I: Description of Studio Work ..................................................................... 279 Project 1: The Lost Cosmonaut .............................................................................. 280 Project 2: Partial Eclipse ........................................................................................ 284 Project 3: Moving Poetry ........................................................................................ 286 Appendix II: Related publications .............................................................................. 288 5 A CKNOWLEDGEMENTS First of all I want to thank Bridget Wilkins and Richard