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Avatar Psychology for Designers

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Rabindra Ratan

This course covers the latest and greatest psychological research on avatars and is relevant to current and future designers of any medium that includes user self-representations (e.g., video games, virtual worlds, robots, automobiles, social media, etc.). By taking this course, you will be able to define digital and non-digital avatars and identify how they are applicable in everyday life. You will be able to differentiate between the types of relationships people have with their avatars and motivations for using avatars that are more or less similar to the self. The course will help you discern the importance different avatar attributes (e.g., gender, race/ethnicity, attractiveness, personality, humanity, body type, hair, controllability) and avoid common harmful stereotypes in your designs. Finally, you will gain the ability to design avatars that harness their psychological power to influence users toward specific (hopefully non-evil) outcomes, even beyond avatar use.

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This course covers the latest and greatest psychological research on avatars and is relevant to current and future designers of any medium that includes user self-representations (e.g., video games, virtual worlds, robots, automobiles, social media, etc.). By taking this course, you will be able to define digital and non-digital avatars and identify how they are applicable in everyday life. You will be able to differentiate between the types of relationships people have with their avatars and motivations for using avatars that are more or less similar to the self. The course will help you discern the importance different avatar attributes (e.g., gender, race/ethnicity, attractiveness, personality, humanity, body type, hair, controllability) and avoid common harmful stereotypes in your designs. Finally, you will gain the ability to design avatars that harness their psychological power to influence users toward specific (hopefully non-evil) outcomes, even beyond avatar use.

Dr. Ratan, the instructor of this one-of-a-kind course, is an internationally recognized scholar who actively publishes research on avatar psychology. He is also known for his jovial and engaging lecture style and believes that you learn and produce more when you are having fun. Hope you enjoy the course.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Avastart Here!

Introduction to the course, avatars, and attributes of avatars

Connections to Avatars

How do players connect with their avatars? How do players explore their identity through their avatar?

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Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches advanced topics, including how avatars can influence users beyond use

Explores the influence of avatars on their users

Develops foundational skills and knowledge, including how different avatar attributes can influence players

Taught by Dr. Ratan, who is known for his engaging lecture style

Provides guidance on designing avatars to harness their psychological power

Covers core concepts, including the definition and applications of avatars, and their influence on users

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Avatar Psychology for Designers with these activities:

Brush up on research methods

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Reinforce core concepts and methods crucial for the course

Browse courses on Research Methods in Psychology

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Review key concepts of experimental design
Practice constructing operational definitions
Go over statistical analyses techniques

Review Psychology 101

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Brings core psychology concepts to the forefront, making it easier to learn how they apply to avatars.

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Go over your old textbooks or class materials from Psychology 101.
Review quizlet decks or other online resources to refresh your memory on concepts such as schemas, social cognition, and personality.
Attend a crash course or review session specifically designed for refreshing Psychology 101 concepts.

Review online psychology

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Research and review general psychology principles, especially those pertaining to the self.

Browse courses on Psychology

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Research and identify key concepts in psychology, such as the self, identity, and motivation
Read articles and books on psychology and the self
Take practice quizzes and tests to assess your understanding

15 other activities

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Review relational databases

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Understand the fundamentals of relational database for writing queries in SQL

Browse courses on Relational Databases

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Review tutorials on relational databases
Practice writing SQL queries

Find a mentor who can provide guidance on avatar design

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Find and connect with someone who can provide guidance and support as you develop your avatar design skills

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Attend industry events and meetups
Reach out to professionals in your field
Ask your friends and colleagues for recommendations
Search for mentors online

Complete avatar design tutorials

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Follow guided tutorials to learn industry-standard techniques for creating digital avatars.

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Search for and identify reputable avatar design tutorials
Follow the steps outlined in the tutorials to create your own avatars
Experiment with different design techniques and styles

Develop an avatar persona

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Foster a deeper understanding of avatar-user relationships

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Create a backstory and personality for your avatar
Consider the motivations for avatar use
Describe how the avatar reflects the user's self-concept

Follow tutorials on avatar creation

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Learn about different techniques for creating avatars by following guided tutorials

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Search for tutorials on avatar creation
Choose a tutorial that is appropriate for your skill level
Follow the steps in the tutorial to create your own avatar
Experiment with different techniques and styles

Practice avatar creation exercises

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Engage in regular avatar creation exercises to refine your skills and develop your portfolio.

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Set aside dedicated time for avatar creation practice
Create avatars based on different prompts or scenarios
Experiment with various design elements and techniques
Seek feedback from peers or mentors to improve your work

Experiment with different avatar designs

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Solidify your grasp of avatar design principles through hands-on exploration.

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Create several avatars with varying combinations of attributes (e.g., gender, race, body type)
Test the avatars in different virtual environments and scenarios
Observe and analyze the impact of different avatar designs on user behavior and experience
Refine your avatar designs based on your observations and research

Design an avatar

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Design and build an avatar that can be used in a multiplayer video game or virtual world by using the concepts learnt in the course

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Choose a software tool for avatar creation
Research different avatar design styles and techniques
Create a concept sketch of your avatar
Build your avatar in the chosen software tool
Test and iterate on your avatar design

Avatar Attribute Analysis

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Reinforces the importance of avatar attributes by requiring students to analyze and justify their choices.

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Choose a specific avatar from a game, movie, TV show, or other media.
Identify the key attributes of the avatar, including physical features, personality traits, and backstory.
Write a 500-word analysis explaining how these attributes contribute to the avatar's overall design and appeal.

Practice designing avatars for different purposes

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Practice designing avatars for different purposes, such as video games, virtual worlds, and social media

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Identify the purpose of the avatar
Research different avatar design styles and techniques
Create a concept sketch of your avatar
Build your avatar in a software tool
Test and iterate on your avatar design

Develop a presentation on avatar best practices

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Create a comprehensive presentation that showcases your knowledge of avatar design best practices.

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Research and gather information on avatar design best practices
Organize your content into a logical and visually appealing presentation
Practice delivering your presentation to an audience

Design an avatar that embodies a specific concept

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Put your understanding of avatar design and user psychology to the test by creating a unique avatar that embodies a specific concept or idea.

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Brainstorm and select a concept or idea that you want to convey through your avatar
Research and gather inspiration for avatar designs that align with your concept
Create a detailed sketch or prototype of your avatar, paying attention to its physical attributes, personality, and overall aesthetics
Test your avatar in a virtual environment or user study to evaluate its effectiveness in conveying your intended concept
Refine and iterate on your avatar design based on feedback and observations

Design an avatar for a specific user group

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Apply your knowledge of avatar psychology to create an impactful design

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Research the target user group
Consider their demographics, needs, and motivations
Design an avatar that meets their specific requirements
Present your design to the class

Write an essay on the psychological effects of avatars

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Write a paper that summarises the research on the psychological effects of avatars in different contexts

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Review the literature on the psychological effects of avatars
Develop a thesis statement
Write an outline for your essay
Write the first draft of your essay
Revise and edit your essay

Virtual World Facilitator

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Enhances understanding of avatar dynamics through real-world experience in a virtual environment.

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Contact organizations that host online communities or virtual worlds.
Inquire about opportunities to volunteer as a facilitator or moderator within these virtual spaces.
Observe and interact with users within the virtual environment, paying attention to how they create and use their avatars.
Reflect on your experiences and discuss your observations with other volunteers or the course instructor.

Career center

Learners who complete Avatar Psychology for Designers will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Interaction Designer

Interaction Designers create the user interface and user experience for websites, software, and other digital products. This course can help Interaction Designers better understand the psychological impact of avatars on users, which can help them create more engaging and effective user interfaces.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interaction Designer

Virtual Reality Developer

Virtual Reality Developers create virtual reality experiences for a variety of purposes, such as entertainment, education, and training. This course can help Virtual Reality Developers better understand the psychological impact of avatars on users, which can help them create more immersive and effective virtual reality experiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Virtual Reality Developer

UX Designer

UX Designers create the user experience for websites, software, and other digital products. This course can help UX Designers better understand the psychological impact of avatars on users, which can help them create more engaging and effective user experiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Game Designer

Game Designers create the overall experience and gameplay for video games. This course can help Game Designers understand how avatars can be used to create more immersive and engaging experiences for players.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer

Psychologist

Psychologists study the human mind and behavior. This course can help Psychologists better understand the psychological impact of avatars on users, which can help them develop more effective treatments and interventions for mental health disorders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Psychologist

Human Factors Engineer

Human Factors Engineers design products and systems that are safe, efficient, and easy to use. This course can help Human Factors Engineers better understand the psychological impact of avatars on users, which can help them design more effective and user-friendly products and systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Factors Engineer

Product Designer

Product Designers create the physical and digital products that we use every day. This course can help Product Designers better understand the psychological impact of avatars on users, which can help them create more appealing and effective products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

Web Designer

Web Designers create the design and layout of websites. This course can help Web Designers better understand the psychological impact of avatars on users, which can help them create more engaging and effective websites.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

Art Director

Art Directors are in charge of the visual style and presentation of a variety of media, including video games, movies, and websites. This course can help Art Directors better understand the psychological impact of avatars on users, which can help them create more engaging and effective visual experiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Director

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. This course can help Software Engineers better understand the psychological impact of avatars on users, which can help them create more effective and user-friendly software applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Graphic Designer

Graphic Designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. This course can help Graphic Designers better understand the psychological impact of avatars on users, which can help them create more effective visual designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic Designer

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing campaigns to promote products and services. This course can help Marketing Managers better understand the psychological impact of avatars on users, which can help them create more effective marketing campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Animator

Animators create movement for characters and objects in movies, video games, and other digital media. This course may be useful for Animators who are interested in creating avatars or who want to better understand the psychological impact of avatars on users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animator

Writer

Writers create content for a variety of purposes, such as entertainment, education, and marketing. This course may be useful for Writers who are interested in creating content about avatars or who want to better understand the psychological impact of avatars on users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Writer

Industrial Designer

Industrial Designers design the shape and function of physical products. This course may be useful for Industrial Designers who are interested in designing products that incorporate avatars or who want to better understand the psychological impact of avatars on users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Designer

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Avatar Psychology for Designers.

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Embodied Cognition

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This good resource to have as a reference to more deeply understand the complexities of the relationship between physical embodiments and cognition. is useful for thinking about the ways in which avatars can influence cognition and behavior.

The Routledge Handbook of Embodied Cognition...

Embodied Cognition (New Problems of Philosophy)

The Routledge Handbook of Embodied Cognition...

Embodied Cognition (New Problems of Philosophy)

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Social Psychology of Dress

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This text provides some introductory content to the psychology of appearance, which is essential knowledge for designing immersive digital experiences. This text is accessible and easy to follow.

Social Psychology of Dress

Social Psychology of Dress [3/9/2017] Sharron J....

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The Self and Its Disorders

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This exhaustive reference book is useful for interrogating the relationship between the self and one or more representations of the self. It is useful for considering the psychological implications of digital and artificial selves.

The Self and Its Disorders

The Self and Its Disorders

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Self-presentation

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This is another foundational text on self in social psychology. It should provide useful context for understanding the psychological impact of avatars in social situations.

Self-presentation

Self-presentation

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Introduction to Social Cognition

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This text is useful for gaining a solid understanding of constructs related to the human self. The text provides a diverse range of perspectives.

Introduction to Social Cognition: The Essential...

Introduction to Social Cognition: The Essential...

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Social Psychology

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Provides an in-depth look at social identity theory. It includes helpful information on self-concept, self-esteem, and social categorization.

Social Psychology

Social Psychology

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The Strange Case of Donald J. Trump

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This useful text provides a theoretical orientation to the narrative self, including rhetoric, narrative identity, and life stories.

The Strange Case of Donald J. Trump

The Strange Case of Donald J. Trump

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Models of the Self

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Provides a descriptive account of the self from a philosophical and psychological point of view.

Models of the Self

Models of the Self

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Ego and Archetype

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Explores the spiritual self from a Jungian perspective and may be useful for understanding one's relationship to the digital self.

Ego and Archetype (C. G. Jung Foundation Books...

[Ego and Archetype (C. G. Jung Foundation Books...

Ego and Archetype: Individuation and the Religious...

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Effort

4 weeks of study, 3 - 5 hours per week.

Level

Introductory

Via

Coursera

Institution

Michigan State University

Instructor

Rabindra Ratan

Language

English

Transcripts

Español Français Português Deutsch Italiano 中文 العربية 한국어 日本語 हिंदी Nederlands Svenska Pусский Türkçe Polski Ελληνικά українська мова Bahasa Indonesia ไทย қазақша

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches advanced topics, including how avatars can influence users beyond use

Explores the influence of avatars on their users

Develops foundational skills and knowledge, including how different avatar attributes can influence players

Taught by Dr. Ratan, who is known for his engaging lecture style

Provides guidance on designing avatars to harness their psychological power

Covers core concepts, including the definition and applications of avatars, and their influence on users

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