Visual Design Research Articles

Comparative Analysis of Content, Organization, and Presentation of Mathematical Concepts in Canadian and Japanese Grade Fifth Textbooks

The purpose of this study was to examine how Canadian and Japanese fifth-grade mathematics textbooks addressed the topics, rote learning by memorization and conceptual understanding facets of teaching. Based on the comparison, it appears that both textbooks cover the required content for a grade 5 student based on the curriculum in the intended subject area. Regarding topics covered and content presentation, the Japanese textbook provides a more engaging and, overall, more successful approach to teaching student’s mathematical content. With student-driven differentiated instruction and open-ended questions, students can better engage with learning through an easy-to-follow textbook filled. With extras, students have the information they require to solve questions and understand examples. Elements of visual design once again predominate within the Japanese math textbook through the various characters, visual aids, and overall colour choice for the visual aspect of the textbook promote student engagement and help create positive emotions in mathematical content, which helps students create better learning relationships with the content being taught. Overall, the research finds that regarding the impact of students learning through the textbooks, the Japanese textbook has the advantage for student learning. However, from a teaching perspective, the Japanese open-ended student lead approach is more complex, which means if not properly taught, it could limit the success of the textbook and student learning. The Ontario textbook is still a comparable book, but making the textbook more engaging visually could improve students' overall performance when being taught with this book in the classroom.

Tracing fashion transformations: a comprehensive visual analysis of fashion magazine covers

Abstract This study looks at the differences and changes observed in the visual design of the covers of French editions of women’s fashion magazines over a period of twenty-one years. To this end, the study aims to identify the changes that can be observed over the years in the design of the covers of the magazines Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, and Cosmopolitan. However, the main aim of the study is to analyze how these visual signs on the covers of French magazines are designed “differently” and how these signs create a “difference” in comparison to each other. By analyzing these visual elements, the aim of the study is to show the development of design trends and their impact on the visual communication strategies and brand identities of magazines.

The commodification of creativity: Integrating Generative Artificial Intelligence in higher education design curriculum

ABSTRACT The academic questions posed by the introduction of Generative AI (GenAI) into design higher education are many and reflect educators’uneasiness about its ethical use. Like any new radical technology breakthrough, GenAI straddles a pedagogical fence that divides opinion and focuses on a basic question: How can design educators harness Generative AI’s power without compromising the fundamentals of design education? This study contributes to foundational research on how to incorporate GenAI into design education without compromising and commodifying the creative process. This research examines design students’ experiences using GenAI in the context of studio practice of a second-year visual communication design course in a Bachelor of Design programme. Reflective comments are analysed and used to inform recommendations for a structured pedagogic approach for implementing GenAI as a building block for the design creative process into the curriculum.

Eastern Aesthetic Elements and Emotional Expression in Visual Communication

With the continuous advancement of globalization, the frequency of cross-cultural communication and interaction is increasing day by day. As a key way of information transmission, visual communication design not only plays a practical role as a messenger, but also has profound cultural connotations embedded in it. This paper aims to investigate and explain the application of Oriental aesthetic principles in the field of visual communication design and its effect on emotional externalization. By examining the fundamental definition and diachronic changes of the Oriental aesthetic concept, this paper intends to analyze the interpretation of these elements in the modern form of expression, in order to show how the iconic symbols such as ink painting, calligraphy art, and traditional symbolic totems are revitalized in the innovative design, and stimulate the emotional resonance in the viewer's heart.By analyzing a number of successful cases at home and abroad, this study not only demonstrates the unique charm of Oriental aesthetic elements in enhancing cultural identity, but also explores how to overcome the challenges brought by cultural differences and promote the integration and development of Eastern and Western cultures in a diversified design environment. Finally, this paper summarizes the potential trend of Oriental aesthetics in the field of visual communication design in the future, and puts forward corresponding practical suggestions.

Practical implications for design professionals: integrating emerging patterns into new media interface design

ABSTRACT In the new media era, visual communication design (VCD) in interface design (ID) relies on critical design patterns—layout, color, typography, and interactive elements—that are essential for user engagement. This study investigates these design patterns in ID, drawing on responses from 760 professionals, including UI and UX designers, researchers, and industry experts. Data analysis with SPSS revealed key trends, common practices, and areas for innovation, informing strategies for improved user experiences in new media interfaces. By highlighting emerging patterns and addressing literature gaps, the study offers valuable insights into design preferences and challenges faced by professionals, with implications for educational curricula, tool development, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and user-centric guidelines.

Strength, Durability, and Aesthetics of Corner Joints and Edge Banding in Furniture Design: A Review

Corner joints and edge banding are essential components that significantly impact the strength, durability, and aesthetic appeal of particleboard furniture. This review examines the critical role of edge banding in enhancing the performance of corner joints, which are fundamental to the overall quality of panel furniture. A targeted literature search was conducted across key databases, including the Web of Science Core Collection (WoS CC), Scopus, and Google Scholar, focusing on scientific resources in the technical and biotechnical sciences. The selection of joint types, materials, and construction methods can substantially influence both the structural integrity and visual design of the furniture. Well-designed corner joints improve durability and longevity by ensuring that furniture can withstand various forces and loads without failure or deformation. These joints enhance the aesthetics of furniture by providing seamless and visually appealing connections between different elements. Edge banding is vital for reinforcing corner joint strength, as different materials exhibit varying degrees of resistance to impact, scratches, and abrasion, thereby safeguarding furniture surfaces. Also, edge banding contributes to the furniture’s longevity, ensuring durability during use as well as through disassembly and transport during remodeling or relocation. This review aims to consolidate existing knowledge and establish parameters for future research on the quality and performance of corner joints and edge bands in particleboard furniture.

Advanced design strategies and applications for enhanced higher-order multisegment denatured Pascal curve gears

The existing Pascal curve gears are limited by inflexible pitch curves and constrained transmission ratio changes, which hinders the application in a range of mechanical systems that require more adaptable gear solutions. To address this, a design procedure for higher-order multisegment denatured Pascal curve gear is proposed. A unified mathematical expression for the Pascal curve gear family is derived, enabling the construction of non-circular gears with free-form pitch curves by adjusting key parameters and offering more flexible pitch curve and a wider range of transmission ratios. Compared with elliptical gears and eccentric circular gears, its transmission ratio range can be expanded by up to 35%. Then the transmission characteristics of these gears are analyzed in detail. To validate the design, the visual analysis and design software of the gear is compiled based on Visual Basic, and is verified with the example. The novelty Pascal curve gears is applied to drive the differential velocity vane pump. The displacement, instantaneous flow rate, and pulsation rate of the differential velocity vane pump are calculated. The comparison with the differential pumps driven by eccentric non-circular gears and Fourier non-circular gears shows that when the pitch curves are not concave, the displacement driven by Pascal curve circular gears is the highest (compared to differential pumps driven by eccentric non-circular gears, and Fourier non-circular gears, their flow rates increased by 50.6%, and 175.7%, respectively), and the instantaneous flow pulsation rate of single pump is the smallest.This study shows that the higher-order multisegment denatured Pascal curve gear provides a viable solution for systems requiring flexible transmission mechanisms and improved operational performance.

Dittos: Personalized, Embodied Agents That Participate in Meetings When You Are Unavailable

Imagine being able to send a personalized embodied agent to meetings you are unable to attend. This paper explores the idea of a Ditto an agent that visually resembles a person, sounds like them, possesses knowledge about them, and can represent them in meetings. This paper reports on results from two empirical investigations: 1) focus group sessions with six groups (n=24) and 2) a Wizard of Oz (WOz) study with 10 groups (n=39) recruited from within a large technology company. Results from the focus group sessions provide insights on what contexts are appropriate for Dittos, and issues around social acceptability and representation risk. The focus group results also provide feedback on visual design characteristics for Dittos. In the WOz study, teams participated in meetings with two different embodied agents: a Ditto and a Delegate (an agent which did not resemble the absent person). Insights from this research demonstrate the impact these embodied agents can have in meetings and highlight that Dittos in particular show promise in evoking feelings of presence and trust, as well as informing decision making. These results also highlight issues related to relationship dynamics such as maintaining social etiquette, managing one's professional reputation, and upholding accountability. Overall, our investigation provides early evidence that Dittos could be beneficial to represent users when they are unable to be present but also outlines many factors that need to be carefully considered to successfully realize this vision.

Introduction to the LINK PRAXIS V.2 I.1 second section

This collection of 13 manuscripts presents the exegetical writing produced by final-year undergraduate students completing their Bachelor of Visual Design, with a major in Communication Design, at Auckland University of Technology (AUT). These manuscripts are a key component of the students’ Level 7 capstone projects, where creative practice is critically contextualised through academic reflection. Following the connective exegesis model proposed by Hamilton and Jaaniste (2010), the project integrates 15 credits from Design Research, which focuses on research methodologies, and 45 credits from the Design Studio, which adopts a practice-led, research-driven approach. This framework encourages students to develop creative responses to complex global and cultural issues, connecting personal practice with broader social contexts. The capstone project’s thematic focus on Design Citizenship encourages students to engage in transdisciplinary work that addresses contemporary cultural, environmental, and social challenges. This approach fosters innovation and authenticity, allowing students to explore how design can offer both personal and socially relevant responses to critical questions. The programme has notably generated increased interest in postgraduate study, with many students continuing their research in the Master’s programme. These manuscripts offer a platform for students to engage in scholarly publishing, providing a space for them to reflect on how practice-oriented research can yield meaningful, contextually informed design outcomes. This collection contributes to broader discussions about the role of creative practice in higher education and its potential to generate new insights and knowledge through design research.

Thermal environment simulation and product visual design of flexible manufacturing system based on robot collaboration

Thermal environment simulation and product visual design of flexible manufacturing system based on robot collaboration

Visual cognition-based optimised design of primary flight displays in cockpits

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different cockpit primary flight display (PFD) interface designs on pilot cognitive efficiency and cognitive load. This study designed five optimised PFD interfaces and conducted interface cognition experiments to assess cognitive responses across six different PFD interface designs, including the original design. It compared various subjective and objective metrics across different interface designs and evaluated the impact of each design factor on cognitive task performance. The experimental results show that the PFD interface in the original interface design performs better under different flight symbol designs, and the interface with 50% increase in font size performs better among interface designs with different font sizes with relatively lower cognitive load. This study provides experimental support and optimization suggestions for the optimal design of cockpit PFD interface, which can help improve pilots’ perception and operational capabilities, and thus enhance task performance efficiency and flight safety. Future research can investigate the effects of various design factors on the cognitive effects of the interface to enhance the ongoing improvement and optimisation of interface design.

Analysis and Recommendations on Empowering Non-Art Background College Students to Generate Visual and Textual Content Using AIGC Tools

This study selects students from Shenzhen Polytechnic University with non-art backgrounds as the sample group. By integrating questionnaire surveys with specific case studies, it explores how AIGC tools empower these students to generate both visual and textual content and design related works. However, their usage primarily concentrates on basic functions such as generating texts and images. It is therefore recommended that systematic courses be developed to guide non-art background students in using AIGC tools more effectively and comprehensively, enabling them to perform more complex tasks.

Visualisation Design Ideation with AI: A New Framework, Vocabulary, and Tool

This paper introduces an innovative framework for visualisation design ideation, which includes a collection of terms for creative visualisation design, the five-step process, and an implementation called VisAlchemy. Throughout the visualisation ideation process, individuals engage in exploring various concepts, brainstorming, sketching ideas, prototyping, and experimenting with different methods to visually represent data or information. Sometimes, designers feel incapable of sketching, and the ideation process can be quite lengthy. In such cases, generative AI can provide assistance. However, even with AI, it can be difficult to know which vocabulary to use and how to strategically approach the design process. Our strategy prompts imaginative and structured narratives for generative AI use, facilitating the generation and refinement of visualisation design ideas. We aim to inspire fresh and innovative ideas, encouraging creativity and exploring unconventional concepts. VisAlchemy is a five-step framework: a methodical approach to defining, exploring, and refining prompts to enhance the generative AI process. The framework blends design elements and aesthetics with context and application. In addition, we present a vocabulary set of 300 words, underpinned from a corpus of visualisation design and art papers, along with a demonstration tool called VisAlchemy. The interactive interface of the VisAlchemy tool allows users to adhere to the framework and generate innovative visualisation design concepts. It is built using the SDXL Turbo language model. Finally, we demonstrate its use through case studies and examples and show the transformative power of the framework to create inspired and exciting design ideas through refinement, re-ordering, weighting of words and word rephrasing.

Beyond Aesthetics: Players, Player-Characters and Interactivity-as-Demand in Cozy Games

Cozy games are often defined by their soft visual design, ambient audio, and low risk gameplay that addresses a range of themes from casual to meaningful. Typically, they also center on simple gameplay in terms of control schema and the ability to disconnect, as a safe, relaxing play space, and with its easy exits points to quit the game. While these aspects have been discussed in both scholarly and media entertainment writing, the demands (or lack thereof) have yet to be explored from a theoretical perspective. Through the lens of interactivity-as-demand theory, this paper aims to explore the connection between the gameplay experience as it relates to cognitive, physical, social, and emotional demands and the in-game representations of the player-character. Through this analytical lens, it is possible to understand the consistency and disconnect of demands as experienced by the player compared to how they are (re)presented on screen which has potential implications related to the player’s expectations and design principles of cozy games.

Use of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Visual Design

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems crafted to replicate human cognitive functions such as learning, perception, and problem-solving. Recently, AI technologies have gained widespread popularity across various domains including healthcare and finance. They have also significantly impacted visual design. This study investigates the burgeoning influence and utilization of AI technologies in visual design, delving into their effects and applications. It scrutinizes how AI innovations transform visual design processes, influence creativity, and shape design practices. The research emphasizes the emergence of AI-powered design tools, their impact on designer creativity, and the potential advantages and drawbacks they pose to creative processes. Furthermore, it examines the ethical and practical dimensions inherent in integrating AI into design practices. By thoroughly assessing AI's impact on visual design, the study aims to prognosticate future technological advancements in this realm.

Co-Designing Dynamic Mixed Reality Drill Positioning Widgets: A Collaborative Approach with Dentists in a Realistic Setup.

Mixed Reality (MR) is proven in the literature to support precise spatial dental drill positioning by superimposing 3D widgets. Despite this, the related knowledge about widget's visual design and interactive user feedback is still limited. Therefore, this study is contributed to by co-designed MR drill tool positioning widgets with two expert dentists and three MR experts. The results of co-design are two static widgets (SWs): a simple entry point, a target axis, and two dynamic widgets (DWs), variants of dynamic error visualization with and without a target axis (DWTA and DWEP). We evaluated the co-designed widgets in a virtual reality simulation supported by a realistic setup with a tracked phantom patient, a virtual magnifying loupe, and a dentist's foot pedal. The user study involved 35 dentists with various backgrounds and years of experience. The findings demonstrated significant results; DWs outperform SWs in positional and rotational precision, especially with younger generations and subjects with gaming experiences. The user preference remains for DWs (19) instead of SWs (16). However, findings indicated that the precision positively correlates with the time trade-off. The post-experience questionnaire (NASA-TLX) showed that DWs increase mental and physical demand, effort, and frustration more than SWs. Comparisons between DWEP and DWTA show that the DW's complexity level influences time, physical and mental demands. The DWs are extensible to diverse medical and industrial scenarios that demand precision.

Visual Identity as a Visual Representation Media in Branding Bakso Atok

Visual identity design is very important because it is one of the efforts to represent and represent a particular brand. In addition to representing its brand, visual identity can also increase consumer awareness in choosing the brand. This study aims to raise the problem of street vendors, namely "bakso atok" who do not yet have a visual identity, namely a logo. Many consumers are hesitant about the food sold because they are not sure about the quality and taste, plus they do not yet have a visual identity for their merchandise, namely a logo. Bakso atok needs ideas and innovations to increase awareness and trust for consumers. To solve this problem, visual identity design is very important and primary because the first thing consumers see is the logo of the brand. The purpose of this design is to increase consumer trust in bakso atok and be easily recognized by the public in a wider scope, therefore the logo design is made through various processes from observation, sketches, determining the layout and choosing colors to digitalization according to the concept needed and desired. And with the presence of the Bakso Atok logo, it can improve the quality of the branding image and the quantity of sales results so that many people believe and are aware of Bakso Atok and in developing their business, it can be used as an example by other traders or MSMEs who are also in the stage of developing their business.

Ancient Oriental Spirituality: On the Aesthetic of Spirituality in the Film “Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms”

The Chinese film “Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms”, adapted from the 16th-century fantasy novel *Investiture of the Gods* by Ming dynasty author Xu Zhonglin, presents scenes filled with the mystical essence of Eastern mythology. Director Wu Ershan employs “spirituality” as the core of the film's visual design, adhering to the philosophical theory that "all things possess a soul." This approach infuses the film's scenes and props with vibrant emotional tension and the vitality of ancient Chinese aesthetics. Through elements such as artistic conception, totem symbols, and primitive religious philosophy, the director imbues the film's visual aesthetic with spiritual energy, conveying the ancient oriental resonance through the mysterious and spiritual culture of the Shang dynasty.

Modeling the Effect of Greenways’ Multilevel Visual Characteristics on Thermal Perception in Summer Based on Bayesian Network and Computer Vision

The aim of this study is to reveal the effects of multilevel visual characteristics of greenways on thermal perception in hot and humid regions during summer and to explore the potential of visual design to enhance psychological thermal comfort. Data on light (L), color (C), plant richness (PR), space openness (SO), scenic view (SV), thermal sensation (TS), and thermal preference (TP) were collected through questionnaires (n = 546). Computer vision technology was applied to measure the green view index (GVI), sky view index (SVI), paving index (PI), spatial enclosure (SE), and water index (WI). Using the hill climbing algorithm in R to construct a Bayesian network, model validation results indicated prediction accuracies of 0.799 for TS and 0.838 for TP. The results showed that: (1) SE, WI, and SV significantly positively influence TS, while L significantly negatively influences TS (R2 = 0.6805, p-value < 0.05); (2) WI, TS, and SV significantly positively influence TP (R2 = 0.759, p-value < 0.05).

The role of market research in pack redesign performance

The visual design of consumer packaged products is crucial for brand success, as consumers learn to recognise pack styles and look for these in buying situations. Therefore, any pack redesign is risky, as the change could interfere with consumers’ ability to find and buy the brand. Market research is often undertaken to reduce the risk of poor pack redesign decisions. Many different approaches are available, meaning marketers must select an appropriate method to increase the chance of pack redesign success. As such, our paper investigates the role of market research in packaging redesign performance. We examine data collected via an online survey with 227 marketers who were asked questions about the last pack redesign they were involved with within the previous two years. The findings challenge the assumption that conducting pack redesign research will boost its success. Notably, commonly used methods and metrics, such as focus groups or brand attitudes, are associated with less successful outcomes. In contrast, testing that identifies and suggests elements to retain in an existing pack design, that consumers link with the brand proves promising, as it is linked to more successful pack redesigns.