Seminars
CoDesign 2017 features a seminar series running during summer semester 2017 at the University of Bremen. Each seminar addresses one or more core research areas and topical themes central to CoDesign 2017. Participation of all interested students in the seminars is especially enouraged.
Seminars run during April - July 2017; all seminars (except one) are held at "The Rotunde".
For scheduling information, refer to individual links below; complete schedule at a glance is available: "Full Schedule"
Voice, Action, Gesture:
Theory and tools for the big data study of multimodal communication
MARK TURNER \
Professor of Cognitive Science: Case Western Reserve University, UNITED STATES
Abstract.
We present the motivation, origin, and theoretical principles for the study of multimodal communication
that guide research in the International Distributed Little Red Hen Lab. We provide an overview of past,
ongoing, and future research programs, focusing on computer vision, audio analysis, cognitive linguistics,
construction grammar, co-speech gesture, and semantic interpretation.
@mark
@schedule
@venue : rotunde
Case Studies in multimodal communication
FRANCIS STEEN \
Professor of Communication Studies / Digital Humanities, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) UNITED STATES
Abstract.
We present details of particular studies in multimodal communication,
focusing on the study of blended classic joint attention, epistemic stance in communication,
communicative learning, and interpretive frames.
@francis
@schedule
@venue : rotunde
(Spatial) Cognition and (Spatial) Design
Mehul Bhatt \
Professor of Human-Centred Cognitive Assistance, Department of Computer Science, University of Bremen.
GERMANY
Abstract.
I will discuss the ontological similarities, and cognitive underpinnings of visuo-spatial thinking from a design creativity viewpoint.
I will present implications of this for the design and implementation of (multimodal) cognitive interaction systems and assistive technologies
in a range of domains requiring visuo-spatial analytical problem-solving and creative thinking.
I will emphasise the interplay of minds (human behaviour), media (artefacts), and (assistive) technology from the
viewpoint of ``spatial cognition'' and ``spatial design'' in particular, and generally, in the overall setup of the CoDesign 2017 Summer of Cognition and Design at Bremen.
@mehul
@schedule
@venue : rotunde
The narrating brain: How experimental neuroscience can help us to understand the social mind?
PIA TIKKA \
Research Fellow: School of Art, Design, Architecture, Aalto University FINLAND
Abstract.
Narratives simulate everyday life in its full situational and contextual complexity. In general, it is assumed that one’s comprehension of narratives relies on idiosyncratic life-experience, the rich multiplicity of lived-by world events, as argued by the theories of embodied mind.
However, the recent neurocinematic findings have shown that we humans do share life experiences to a greater extent than we perhaps are willing to admit.
Our brains tick together when watching narrative films.
This is referred to as inter-subjective correlation.
The theoretical work and observations of my NeuroCine team on what I would call the “narrating brain” provide
insights to how individual and inter-subjective minds make sense of complex temporally expanded narratives.
The concluding discussion will focus on how the gained understanding can be further applied to studying new narrative
forms including those advancing social welfare.
@pia
@schedule
@venue : SFG 1010
New representations of information for people with disabilities: Multidisciplinary perspectives
CLAYTON LEWIS \
Professor of Computer Science / Fellow: Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado, Boulder UNITED STATES
Abstract.
There is a theory of representations, extending work on the theory of measurement, that can
assist in creating new representations. New representations can be created, based on this theory,
that can support people with disabilities. New technology, and new knowledge, opens a vast landscape of
representational possibilities that we can and should explore.
@clayton
@schedule
@venue : rotunde
Thinking Like A Child:
The Role of Surface Similarities in Stimulating Creativity,
and Implications for the Design of Creativity Support Systems
BIPIN INDURKHYA \
Professor of Computer Science / Cognitive Science, Jagiellonian University + AGH University, Krakow, POLAND
Abstract.
An oft-touted mantra for creativity is: think like a child. We focus on one particular aspect of
child-like thinking here, namely surface similarities. Developmental psychology has convincingly demonstrated,
time and again, that younger children use surface similarities for categorization and related tasks; only
as they grow older they start to consider functional and structural similarities. We consider examples of
puzzles, research on creative problem solving, and two of our recent empirical studies to demonstrate
how surface similarities can stimulate creative thinking. We examine the implications of this approach
for designing creativity-support systems.
@speakers
@schedule
@venue : rotunde
Storytelling and popular movies, and its underlying
psychological principles
James E. Cutting \
Susan Linn Sage Professor of Psychology, Cornell University, UNITED STATES
Abstract.
Mark Twain, the 19th century American humorist, said that he liked a “good story, well told.”
A “good story” is about narrative content and how it is told is about narration or style. Popular
movies can be divided this way as well, and I will review the nature and the development of three
aspects of film style over the last hundred years – the dynamic natures of shot durations, motion,
and luminance as they are distributed over the length of English-language (“Hollywood”) movies.
The coalescence of these patterns seems based on good psychological principles about engaging viewers’
attention and emotions.
@james
@schedule
@venue : rotunde
Visual Attention and Representation During Meaningful Events
Daniel Levin \
Professor of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, UNITED STATES
Abstract.
A long tradition of research in visual attention has explored how focusing attention on one thing lessens
awareness of other things. Traditionally this work has relied upon tightly controlled laboratory tasks,
but more recent reseach explores visual attention in naturalistic contexts ranging from HCI to cinema.
This research makes clear the need to develop theories that describe how meaningful events dynamically
structure attention not only spatially but also temporally. In this talk, I will discuss research that
reveals how the general structure of events shapes visual attention, representation, and awareness over time.
This research supportds the hypothesis that extraction of visual meaning may be more richly structured by
conceptual coherence than by continuous perceptual monitoring.
@daniel
@schedule
@venue : rotunde
Creative Thinking in Innovation Design
Toshiharu Taura \
Professor: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kobe University, JAPAN
Abstract.
In this talk, I am going to discuss the essence of creative thinking in
Innovation Design. First, I begin by saying that creativity in Innovation
Design can be classified into two types: defixation type and synthetic type.
I will be focusing on the latter. Second, I provide a general outline of
synthetic creativity by referring to the process of combining two concepts.
Third, I will argue that intuition or gut feeling is integral to the process
of synthesis. Fourth, we will explain intuition or gut feeling may be originated
from inner feeling or sense. Finally, I will present an outline of the design
school (workshop) conducted based on these thoughts. As a whole, in this talk,
I will show how creative thinking in Innovation Design is closely related to
the notions of synthesis, intuition or gut feeling, and inner feeling or sense.
@toshiharu
@schedule
@venue : rotunde
The Language of design: creativity, complexity and
spatial representation in design
Juhyun Lee \
Senior Lecturer: School of Architecture and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle,
AUSTRALIA
Abstract.
This talk firstly demonstrates three indicators of a connection between cognitive activities and creativity in parametric design.
The three indicators are geometry versus algorithm use, problem-driven versus solution-driven processes, and expert versus
novice activities. The pioneering investigation is further explored by qualitative and quantitative approaches to measuring cognitive complexity. Levels of design cognition and sequential entropies over time will be presented in terms of cognitive complexity, which is also connected to syntactic and descriptive complexities. Our knowledge about design cognition and complexity is discussed.
Lastly, I will introduce my recent research projects on multi-cultural design communication. A common assumption in many international creative partnerships is that design is a universal language through which different cultures can readily communicate and solve problems. However, design wouldn’t be a universal language and that the process of designing is actually shaped by cultural and linguistic practices. This will capture the embedded relationship between spatial language characteristics and design cognition in these different cultural settings.
@juhyun
@schedule
@venue : rotunde