Older Adults Designing Avatars for Socializing

Abstract

In this research I investigate the design and use of virtual avatars (full body representations of the user) among older adults over 65 years old. This research seeks to understand the avatar's designs made by older adults in relation to the ageing body; and how the use of these self-representations impact older adults' experience when socializing online. This thesis firstly uses an exploratory approach to understand the current use of online self-representations among older adults, then design workshops to comprehend older adults' visual choices in relation to the design of humanoid avatars and finally a long-term user study where participants use and reiterate avatar designs through multip..