article in IJSW journal

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Ming Tang’s paper. Analysis of Signage using Eye-Tracking Technology is published at the  Interdisciplinary Journal of Signage and Wayfinding. 02. 2020.

Abstract

Signs, in all their forms and manifestations, provide visual communication for wayfinding, commerce, and public dialogue and expression. Yet, how effectively a sign communicates and ultimately elicits a desired reaction begins with how well it attracts the visual attention of prospective viewers. This is especially the case for complex visual environments, both outside and inside of buildings. This paper presents the results of an exploratory research design to assess the use of eye-tracking (ET) technology to explore how placement and context affect the capture of visual attention. Specifically, this research explores the use of ET hardware and software in real-world contexts to analyze how visual attention is impacted by location and proximity to geometric edges, as well as elements of contrast, intensity against context, and facial features. Researchers also used data visualization and interpretation tools in augmented reality environments to anticipate human responses to alternative placement and design. Results show that ET methods, supported by the screen-based and wearable eye-tracking technologies, can provide results that are consistent with previous research of signage performance using static images in terms of cognitive load and legibility, and ET technologies offer an advanced dynamic tool for the design and placement of signage.

Issue

Vol 4 No 1 (2020): Roads, Interiors, Graphics, and Research Technology  
Interdisciplinary Journal of Signage and Wayfinding.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The research project is supported by the Strategic Collaborative/Interdisciplinary Award of the University of Cincinnati. Thanks to the support from Professor Christopher Auffrey, students from ARCH7014, Fall 2019 semester, ARCH8001 Spring 2019 semester, and ARCH4001, Fall 2018 semester at the University of Cincinnati.

For more information on the wearable ET, screen-based ET, and VR-ET, please check out our research website, or contact Prof. Tang.

 

Project featured by Gooood

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“The Tiniest Cottage” design + build project by UC + Beijing Jiaotong University is featured by Gooood (谷德设计网), the most popular architecture online magazine and community in Asia.

Project name: The Tiniest Cottage
Design: Beijing Jiaotong University, University of Cincinnati
Design year & Completion Year: 2019 & 2019
Leader designer & Team:
Yingdong Hu(BJTU), Yunan Zhang(BJTU), Huazhan Guo(BJTU), Ming Tang(UC), Whitney Hamaker(UC), Yongquan Chen(UC)
Team Member: Zhuo Chen, Peida Zhuang, Shurui Li, Zhixuan Li, Yingjie Liu, Zijia Wang, Yuanjia Luo, Wenjun Lin, Yanqi Yi, Tran Huy Phi Vu, McQuillen Patrick, Figley Lauren, Micham Jordan, Ryan Tess, Swafford Jeremy
Technical Support: Jianming Wang,Luo Yang
Project location: Orchard Village, Aiyuan Town, Shuyang County, Jiangsu Province
Gross Built Area (square meters): 78m²
Photo credits: Beijing Jiaotong University
Partners: CBC
Clients: Shiyang County People’s Government
Brands / Products used in the project:
Wood: Jimu Construction Technology Engineering (Shanghai) Co., Ltd
Steel: Qingdao wangbaoqiang Industrial Co., Ltd
Doors and windows: Guangzhou Haode doors and windows Co., Ltd

Check out more info on this UIA-CBC Design-Build Competition project here.

Ihsan Community Center Design and Renovation

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Grant. Ihsan Community Center Design. Sponsored studio. $5,000. PI: Tang

The “Ihsan Community Center Design and Renovation” is a sponsored studio by Ihsan community. The studio explored design possibilities and engaged the Ihsan community in developing future visions. The redesign and renovation of the current Ihsan community center emphasized logical architectural space, including prayer area, classrooms for educational programs, multi-purpose hall, and outdoor recreation. The project was developed by optimizing the current structure, space reorganization, and looking to build a vision for the land and building that will bring a sense of pride to the Islamic architecture and will encourage participation from youth and adults alike.

DAAP team: Kristian Van Wiel, Maddie Cooke, Nick Chism, Seanna LaGanke, Ummul Buhari-Mohammed, Amy Cui. Faculty: Ming Tang. Advisors: Xiangbin Xu, Yongquan Chen

UC DAAP students presented their design to the Ihsan Community members. Photograph by Xiangbin Xu

 

 

Community engagement.

presentation at the Ihsan community.

The proposed design was modeled in Autodesk BIM 360 + Revit, and evaluated through the immsersive VR with Occulus Quest.

 

Thanks to all the supports from the Ihsan Community, the School of Architecture and Interior Design, and Autodesk. Thanks to the field trip with the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati (ICGC), Clifton Mosque, and Islamic Center of Mason.

For more information on this project, please contact Ihsan Community or Prof. Ming Tang at UC DAAP.

Paper at Artificial Realities Conference

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Cyber-Physical Experiences: Architecture as Interface

Turan Akman and Ming Tang’s Paper Cyber-Physical Experiences: Architecture as Interface was presented at the Artificial Realities: Virtual as an Aesthetic Medium for Architectural Ideation Symposium in Lisbon, Portugal. 2019.

Abstract:

Conventionally, architects have relied on qualities of elements such as materiality, light, solids and voids, etc. to break out of the static nature of space, and enhance the way users experience and perceive architecture. Even though some of these elements and methods helped create more dynamic spaces, architecture is still bound by conventional constraints of the discipline. With the introduction of technologies such as augmented reality(AR), it is becoming easier to blend digital, and physical realities, and create new types of spatial qualities and experiences, especially when it is combined with virtual reality(VR) early in the design process. Even though these emerging technologies cannot replace the primary and conventional qualitative elements in architecture, they can be used to supplement and enhance the experience and qualities architecture provides.

To explore how AR can enhance the way architecture is experienced and perceived, and how VR can be used to enhance the effects of these AR additions, the authors proposed a hybrid museum which integrated AR with conventional analog methods(e.g., materiality, light, etc.) to mediate spatial experiences. To evaluate the proposed space, the authors also created a VR walkthrough and collected quantifiable data on the spatial effects of these AR additions.

Akman,T.Tang,M. Cyber-Physical Experiences: Architecture as Interface at Artificial Realities: Virtual as an Aesthetic Medium for Architectural Ideation Symposium, Lisbon Portugal. 2019

 

Collaborative teaching to study the social impact of A.I, Automation, and Robots

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Funded by UC Forward Course Development grant. The Future of (no) Work and Artificial Intelligence.

(Award fund rescind due to COV-19 budget freeze). 2020

Amount: $15,000.  The courses will be offered in the Fall semester. 2020.

  • Ming Tang, Associate Professor, School of Architecture and Interior Design, DAAP
  • Cory Haberman, Assistant Professor and Director of the Institute of Crime Science, CECH
  • Tamara Lorenz, Assistant Professor, Psychology-Mechanical Engineering-Electrical Engineering (jointly appointed). Department of Psychology. College of A&S.

Self-portrait drawing. designed by Google Machine Learning named “DeepDream”. Painted by Kuka Robot. By Ming Tang. 2018

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