FINAL project (1500 – 1800 words):

The final project will require you to put on a researcher hat and a designer hat. 

You will be allowed to choose whether to focus more on research or design side in your paper, unless you want to follow what my son, Thelonius, suggests and you just flip a coin. 🙂

While wearing your researcher hat, please find 3 to 5 published scholarly articles (use google scholar) about the psychological effects of avatars. Based on these articles, write out an argument about the potential significance of avatars in our society. Connect your argument to at least three major concepts covered in this course. Brownie points if you use the Proteus effect. 

Then, while wearing your designer hat, select 3 to 5 avatar-use platforms. Analyze the elements of these platforms that relate to your argument about the significance of avatars in our society. Again, connect your argument to at least three course concepts.

Finally, conclude by proposing a new avatar use system that addresses any potential concerns or maximizes any benefits. Describe the high-level design of this system and formulate an argument about how it will address concerns or maximize benefits. Illustrations are welcome.