The thesis is still evolving since Tuesday’s discussion. I was able to meet with other resources to help me narrow down my focus on what I’m going to cover. I hope to have an updated version tomorrow, or early this weekend.
The following are POSSIBLE candidates for the interviews. The professors have some qualifications at least in the area of graphic design, user experience, and other theories. I’ve contacted the individuals below the professors and still awaiting confirmation if they will participate.
Possible Candidates:
Academic
Professor O’Bryan has expertise in digital environment, user experience, as well as web design. He can bring knowledge in the realm of user experience and interface design which is a crucial element for gamification implementation.
Zoran Belic is a professor at SCAD who specializes in New Media Theory, semiotics, and external forces that influence artists. As well in progressive and innovative design solutions. Professor Belic could share insight on design solutions that graphic designers can use to implement gamification.
Professor Rebecca Hemstad bring her expertise in the area of user experience, visual culture, and software programming. She’s been very insightful in both gamification and user experience fields in past conversations.
Professor Joseph “Joe” DiGioia, with his experience and expertise in design thinking and design methodologies can further provide knowledge in the area of design education as well.
Non-Academic
Gamificaiton Summit
I’ve contacted the GSummit team to see if ANY of them would be possible for the interview and I have yet to hear from them. I’d prefer Gabe, but I’ll take what I can get! Here are their bios:
GABE ZICHERMANN
Gabe is the chair of the Gamification Summit, an author, highly rated public speaker and entrepreneur. His upcoming book, “Gamification by Design” (O’Reilly, 2011) looks at the technical and architectural considerations for designers in this burgeoning field. His book “Game-Based Marketing” (Wiley, 2010) achieved critical and industry acclaim for its detailed look at innovators who blend the power of games with brand strategy. A resident of NYC, Gabe is a board member of StartOut.org, advisor to a number of startups and Facilitator for the Founder Institute in Manhattan.
KEVIN SHANE
Kevin joined Gamification Co unofficially in October of 2011 and officially in March of 2012. He is now the Director of GSummit, occasionally writes for the blog and helps continue to strengthen the GCo Community. These are a few of his favorite things: Family, Friends, NJ, Craft Beer, Kitesurfing, Skiing, Soccer, Philanthropy and of course Gamification.
IVAN KUO
Ivan is the Chief Editor and content manager for the Gamification Co blog and makes sure you’re getting the latest and best news in gamification. Ivan looks at gamification with a critical eye but never keeps things too srsly. He is also the king of putting the ““ in our articles. You can find him on the weekends scouring Steam for more games and DJing electro music with massive bass. Ivan is currently slaving away at trying to complete the Binding of Isaac.
GARY “^GH” HENKLE
Gary wears many hats for Gamification Co. In addition to being Gabe Zichermann’s Chief High Executioner and Press Officer, Gary is the Social Media Manager and frequent blogger for Gamification Co, as well as the company’s office manager. When he’s not writing a new blog, he’s singing choral music, advocating for social justice, and finding new ways to eat carrots.
TAAVI LINDMA
Taavi is Gamification Co’s research and development agent. When he’s not cooking delicious cream-cheese-bacon-mushroom-pasta dishes, he mediates on fruitful ideas and stories on #gamification #fun #IxD #startup #EstoniaMafia and #AmericanHOTDOGS.
KARI COSENTINO
Kari is our head of event operations. We met Kari at Jive 2011 (she was running the show) and knew right away that we wanted to bring her and her talent to GSummit. She helped us put on an amazing GSummit SF 2012 and she’s going to help us put on a bigger & better GSummit SF 2013.
Outside of GSummit
Sebastian Deterding
An aspiring architect in the cathedral of human understanding. Researcher & designer working on UX, games, gameful, playful and persuasive design. He is also another gamification pioneer that deals more with how ramification can be used in different fields.
I’m still formulating my thesis in a much more focused idea which may create new candidates for the interviewing process.
1) How many years have you been practicing in your current field?
2) What design principles / theories do you believe would be beneficial for a graphic designer to know to be able to design gamification in an online environment?
3) Do you believe that gamification can bring an enhanced learning experience to an online learner or hinder it?
4) Could gamification becoming a standard learning/teaching methodology that could be implemented in the educational system?
I’ll be working on more questions. I need to do research on the area I’m focusing on which will create more questions.