Using Social Interaction in Generative Design of Shared Virtual Spaces

The proposed paper outlines research findings in the field of generative design of visual virtual chat spaces. It discusses social interaction as a central determining factor in the generation of virtual spaces through and for chat communication on the World Wide Web. Social interaction in a chat room is based on communication using written text. The research and design results of this project involve the translation of chat statements into three-dimensional virtual objects according to criteria derived from theories of virtual and social space, the production of space through action and interaction of the users of the interface and the translation of the components of written text (words and characters) into threedimensional virtual forms. The generation of a dynamic, virtual, social structure is based on criteria deduced from systems of interaction within social space. The visual social structure, reflected in the shape and spatial relation of the three-dimensional objects, evolves as source for feedback processes and therefore as “re-generation” of social interaction. This paper documents the design, implementation and evaluation of the described system. It represents an outset and a first manifestation of a new project in cultural-differentiated userinteraction-centred generative approaches in interface design of chat room applications.