From: Robert Jacobson Subject: metamedia Date: Wed, 30 Oct 91 11:22:43 -0800 (Craig Hubley < craig@utcs.utoronto.ca) writes: . >In 1988 I (believe that I) invented the word "metamedia" to describe >tools with which designers can build their own human-to-human and/or > human-to machine communication media. . The term "metafont" was coined by Donald Knuth inventor of TeX program early in the 80's, I think. I also heard the name "metatools" being used somewhere. . > The point was that with tools as flexible as hypertext and VR devices > you can design an experience or a environment FIRST and go looking for > tools with which to build it LATER. . Not always necessary. Let me explain. Traditionally designers always had to visualize their ideas first and then represent them in an artwork drawing or a scale model. These representations are passed on to the 'production' people for realisation. ie printer, mouldmaker, builder etc Even in case of software, the designers specify the graphics and screen layouts etc. using mock up screens and the software guys 'impliment' them. But then with specialized tools (like Prototyper for example) designers can visualize and the tool generates the code automatically. In such cases, there is no 'implimentation' involved except linking the interface shell to the main code. However, the problem with such tools is that you can make only standard designs and cannot really explore innovative solutions. . It is while trying to design new innovative interfaces or human-machine interaction that problems come up. I think we need two sets of tools. One is 'visualization' tools that help in conceptualizing new kind of interactions. With these tools, it should be possible to make mockups using video sequences or interaction sequences from existing programs or animation techniques. The other is 'prototying' tools with which the mockups can be implimented into object oriented interface shells or a UIMS. . >.. The onus is now on the designer since the technology can do >practically anything you want... in audiovisual terms at atleast.. > and most artist/designers don't think about inventing *media*, rather > they think about inventing pieces of work in an existing medium. . In good old days when things are simpler, musicians invented their own instruments. Some calligraphers even today, make their own brushes. At our Industrial Design Faculty, we made our own solid modeller and after discovering that none of the commercially available CAD packages help in the initial design phase of sketching, form generation etc (at least not the way industrial designers are used to), we are now building a Desinger's Toolkit. . Given the complexities and incompatiblities involved in new technologies it is not fair to expect designers to build their own tool in evolving environments (How many design schools have technology oriented research programs ?). I believe that multi-disciplinary discplinary research teams could build tools for specialized applications including making human-computer interaction. . ...................................................................... Raghu Kolli Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering Tel: +31-15-785039 Delft University of Technology Fax: +31-15-787316 Jaffalaan 9, 2628 BX DELFT iovorag@hdetud2.tudelft.nl The Netherlands ......................................................................