Research project progress

Lev Manovich - Super good theory of interaction
Section from "The Language of New Media" discussing interactivity:

The Myth of Interactivity

"....Used in relation to computer-based media, the concept of interactivity is a tautology. Modern human-computer interface (HCI) is by its very definition interactive....When we use the concept of “interactive media” exclusively in relation to computer-based media, there is danger that we interpret "interaction" literally, equating it with physical interaction between a user and a media object (pressing a
button, choosing a link, moving the body), at the sake of psychological interaction. The psychological processes of filling-in, hypothesis forming, recalland identification, which are required for us to comprehend any text or image at all, are mistakenly identified with an objectively existing structure of interactive links..."

Manovich goes on to explain that the concept of interaction goes back through the ages and encompasses Classical and Modern art, painting, sculpture, theater etc. He includes these examples by defining interaction as any process that provokes the human mind to use the imagination as a companion to what the eyes see.
I really like this - it is making me think about what "interaction" is and why it is played with by artists and ad agencies alike.

Research project progress

My Research project so far went something like this:

• Lots of reading and writing around the subject of TV advertising.
• Finalising an idea around the title "Examining mood and style created by choice of sound and image in audio visual advertising"
• Having the idea rejected by my tutor.
• Reforming the idea with tutors advice around the title "Advertising's progression with Web 2.0: An exploration of content, style and interactivity"

This title has stuck so far and research now consists of exploring the current state of internet advertising concentrating on rich media.
After reading a good deal more from some of the sources below, I have concentrated my searches on defining interactivity on the web and asking why it is wanted (or if it is wanted). I also like the questions of ethics and psychology of ads in the form they take on the web. Reading so far has revealed that a lot of time has been spent by ad agencies on tricking the web surfer in order to get 'click through' success.
By broadening my topics to the areas described above I have felt more relaxed about the project and confident about writing.

Sources so far:

• jiad.org (journal of interactive advertising)
  
• Advertising by Tony Yeshin
• Electronic Commerce by Gary Schneider
• The Soul Of The New Consumer by David Lewis & Darren Bridger
• The Virtual Dimension Edited by John Beckman
• Design Research by Brenda Laurel
  
• The language of New Media by Lev Manovich
• Online journals:
  Marketing Theory.
  Media, Culture and Society.
  Television and New Media.