Visual languages, annotations and observation in vocational professions and education
The project will focus on three interconnected topics that are visual languages, annotations and observation in vocations and vocational education.
Researchers will use a range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to
- explore visual languages and annotations in vocational profession,
- understand if annotations can convey a professional way to look at profession-specific images and
- develop education scenarios to improve observation in fashion designer apprentices.
The project will also continue to develop the platform Realto.
Supervisors of the dissertation:
- Prof. Dr. Jean-Luc Gurtner
- Prof. Dr. Alberto Cattaneo
In the first study, the researchers will interview different professionals, in the areas of healthcare, craftsmanship, art and industry, on their use of visual representations such as technical drawings and annotations such as symbols. All interviews will be audio-recorded, transcribed, codified and analyzed with the software Nvivo to inform the development of future studies.
The second study will be a collaboration with the EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) and will use the qualitative data collected in the first study to better understand how fashion designers observe images and, more specifically, if annotations can convey a specialised way to look at profession-specific-images. This research will use quantitative methodologies such as eyetracking but also qualitative ones such as verbal descriptions of the images.
Furthermore, in the third and final study we will focus on using the findings of the previews researches to improve fashion designers apprentices’ observation using a range of attention-guiding methods.
Additionally, besides these three studies, we will also focus on the collaboration with other team members on the development of the platform Realto in conformity with the main principle of usability and accessibility and the presentation of the platform in schools.