The intention of this thesis is to explore the innate human desire to pursue an ideal existence. This compulsion recurs throughout history, regardless of race, religion, or geography, revealing itself through multiple disciplines such as art, design, film, music, and architecture. Humankind’s propulsion towards utopia evidences the human condition and our desire to create an improved existence for ourselves and for those who follow. It is this idyllic goal that promotes change, social progress, and ultimately unites humankind. This thesis will inform and facilitate a platform from which to experience and reflect upon our collective utopian ambition through the lens of graphic design. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.F.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Conceptual Modelling (CM) has received little attention in the area of Modelling and Simulation (M&S) and more specifically in Discrete Event Simulation (DES). It is widely agreed that CM is least understood despite its importance. This is however, not the case in other fields of science and engineering (especially, computer science, systems engineering and software engineering). In Computer Science (CS) alone, CM has been extensively used for requirements specification and some well-established methods are in practice. The aim of the thesis is to propose a CM framework based on the principles of software engineering and CS. The development of the framework is adapted from a well-known software engineering method called Structured Analysis and Design Technique (SADT), hence it is called SADT CM. It is argued that by adapting approaches from CS, similar benefits can be achieved in terms of formality, understanding, communication and quality. A comprehensive cross-disciplinary review of CM in CS and M&S is undertaken, which highlights the dearth of standards within M&S CM when compared to CS. Three important sub-fields of CS are considered for this purpose namely, information systems, databases and software engineering. The review identifies two potential methods that could be adopted for developing a M&S CM framework. The first method called PREView was found unsuitable for M&S CM in DES domain. Hence, the thesis concentrates on developing the framework based on SADT. The SADT CM framework is evaluated on three-in depth test cases that investigate the feasibility of the approach. The study also contributes to the literature by conducting a usability test of the CM framework in an experimental setting. A comprehensive user-guide has also been developed as part of the research for users to follow the framework.

El-Nasr och Moura (2015) beskriver olika tekniker för hur TV-spel kan vägleda spelaren. Tekniken samlingsbara föremål som indikerar väg beskrivs som objekt som implementeras på ett sådant sätt att de leder spelaren till en belöning eller ett mål. Problemområdet för det aktuella arbetet fokuseras i följande frågeställning: Hur påverkar en spelares grad av spelvana dess inställning till olika grader av vägledning – av sorten samlingsbara föremål som visar väg – i TV-spel? För att få svar på denna fråga utvecklas en artefakt, bestående av 3 banor skapade i Super Mario Maker (2015). Banorna innehåller olika hög grad av vägledning. En studie utvecklas och utförs på 13 deltagare, där de får spela igenom de tre banorna och svara på en intervju. Resultaten tyder på att ovana spelare mer konsekvent föredrar mycket vägledning i spel. Till sist diskuteras potentiella felkällor, och arbetets framtida potential. / El-Nasr and Moura (2015) describe different techniques with which video games lead the player. The technique collectible items indicating paths is described as objects being implemented in such a way that they lead the player to a reward or a goal. The research problem for the thesis at hand is outlined with the following research question: How does a player’s level of experience with games affect their opinions regarding different degrees of wayfinding – specifically when it comes to collectible items indicating paths – in video games? To answer this question, a prototype is developed, consisting of 3 levels created using Super Mario Maker (2015). The levels contain wayfinding elements to different extents. A study is developed and then conducted with 13 participants, in which they play the three levels and after which participate in an interview. The results suggest that inexperienced players more consistently prefer a high degree of wayfinding in games. Lastly, potential flaws and errors are discussed, as is the future of the study.

Orientador: Stelamaris Rolla Bertoli / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-16T06:22:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Lopes_RenataKintschner_M.pdf: 7318022 bytes, checksum: 02ed66e014e1d1669c84449a051896b5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: No processo de projeto, é necessário que o arquiteto busque soluções integradas para uma série de exigências projetuais. Os fatores acústicos devem ser claramente compreendidos e incorporados no início da conceitualização do projeto arquitetônico, para que a qualidade sonora seja alcançada. O objetivo dessa pesquisa é investigar como os conceitos da acústica arquitetônica interferem na composição arquitetônica durante a fase projetual. Algumas tipologias de edifícios possuem propostas arquitetônicas mais complexas e exigem a participação de muitos especialistas, compondo equipes multidisciplinares. Esses fatores tornam indispensável a aplicação de uma metodologia de projeto, para tornar o processo projetual compreensível e transparente. O método de projeto baseado no desempenho foi identificado como um método adequado para a concepção de edifícios que envolvem vários requisitos de desempenho acústico. A presente pesquisa não pretende impor regras ou diretrizes projetuais, mas busca investigar como o projeto arquitetônico de edifícios pode ser enriquecido a partir do atendimento dos requisitos de conforto acústico e qualidade sonora. A partir da revisão bibliográfica, os aspectos arquitetônicos considerados mais relevantes e abrangentes aos edifícios contemporâneos foram: implantação e meio urbano, forma, dimensões e volume, materiais, mecanismos de variabilidade acústica e metodologia projetual. Para os estudos de caso foram analisadas as seguintes obras: a Sala São Paulo, projetada pelo arquiteto Nelson Dupré e equipe; Casa da Música, do arquiteto Rem Koolhaas; o Centro de Mídia Experimental e Artes Performáticas (EMPAC), do escritório Grimshaw Architects; e a Walt Disney Concert Hall, do arquiteto Frank Gehry. A análise dos resultados obtidos por meio dos estudos de caso foi feita a partir dos mesmos aspectos levantados na revisão bibliográfica, além da análise das metodologias projetuais aplicadas, com o intuito de se fazer uma verificação de como acústica e projeto arquitetônico dialogam em situações reais. Para uma visualização sintetizada, uma tabela foi elaborada relacionando parâmetros acústicos objetivos com os parâmetros subjetivos e as respectivas estratégias arquitetônicas para atendê-los. Espera-se que os requisitos acústicos não sejam somente uma fração da técnica de qualidade sonora, mas também um elemento que enriqueça o partido arquitetônico e a composição da arquitetura contemporânea / Abstract: During the design process, it is necessary for the architect to seek integrated solutions for a number of design requirements. Acoustic factors must be clearly understood and incorporated at the beginning of the design for the sound quality is achieved. The objective of this research is to investigate how the concepts of architectural acoustics affect the architectural composition during the design process. Some types of buildings have architectural proposals more complex and require the participation of many experts, forming multidisciplinary teams. These factors make it essential to apply a design methodology to make the design process understandable and clear. The performance based design method was identified suitable for designing buildings that involve a number of acoustic requirements. This research does not intend to impose rules or design guidelines, but seeks to investigate how the architectural design of buildings can be enhanced by compliance with the requirements of acoustic comfort and sound quality. From the literature review, the architectural aspects deemed most relevant and embracing to contemporary buildings were implantation and urban environment, shape, size and volume, materials, devices of acoustic variability and architectural design methodology. For the case studies the following projects were analyzed: the Sala Sao Paulo, by architect Nelson Dupré and team, Casa da Musica, designed by architect Rem Koolhaas, the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (Empac), by Grimshaw Architects, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall, by architect Frank Gehry. The analysis of the results obtained through the case studies was made from the same issues raised in the literature review, and also the analysis of design methods applied in order to make an investigation of how acoustic and architectural design dialogue in real cases. For a synthesized view, a table relates objective acoustic parameters with subjective acoustic parameters and the architectural strategies to meet them. It is expected that the acoustic requirements are not only a fraction of the technique for sound quality, but also an element that enriches the architectural party and the composition of contemporary architecture / Mestrado / Arquitetura e Construção / Mestre em Engenharia Civil