IMAGINE Personalities: Augmenting Digital Character Workflows Using Motion Capture, Wearable Sensors, and Live...

Area of Science:

• Digital character design
• Human-computer interaction
• Media studies

Background:

• Traditional digital characters rely on movement for trait expression.
• Emerging sensor technologies offer new avenues for dynamic character design.
• Integration of motion capture, biosensors, and live coding enables embodied character expression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine how sensor-based technologies augment personality expression in digital characters across media.
• To explore the Wheel of Personality model's application in sensor-mediated character design.
• To develop and evaluate prototypes for expressive digital characters.

Main Methods:

• Developed four prototypes (animation, games, interactive performance, networked environments) using sensor technologies.
• Applied the Wheel of Personality model (Character Structure, Motion-Action, Interaction, Environment).
• Conducted user evaluation with 14 participants using questionnaires and interviews.

Main Results:

• Movement and interaction were the most influential cues for perceived personality.
• Environmental factors' impact varied across different media types.
• Narration and audience personality also influenced character perception.

Conclusions:

• Digital character personality emerges from multimodal cues and context.
• Sensor technologies provide novel methods for designing expressive and emotionally resonant characters.
• Findings offer insights for trans-media character design and development.