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Writer's picture Ian Meechan

Assignment A4 - Digital Identities Part 1

Updated: Dec 12



Conceptualisation: Research and Mind Maps


I struggled at first with which direction to pursue with this assignment, finally deciding to look at identity as a critical examination in today's climate. As a man approaching 60 in just over a year, I've been fortunate to know what it was like growing up in an environment without the same level of technology as it is today. With this in mind, I researched digital identity in several ways. To brain storm my ideas I've always used mind maps so as a starting point this was the perfect medium.



  • A brief overview of technological advances in recent technology

  • Digital Identity in the current climate

  • Creating a survey questioning digital identity and culture today

  • Experimentation in AI regarding digital identity and culture in the future

  • Conclusion


A brief history of technological advances over the years.


Over the past 30 years, digital identities for artists and photographers have undergone significant transformations due to technological advancements, online culture changes, and the art industry shifts. Here are some notable developments:


Emergence of Online Portfolios and Galleries:

1990s-2000s:

Early websites and platforms like GeoCities, DeviantArt, and early versions of Flickr allowed artists and photographers to showcase their work online. These platforms were relatively simple and often required basic HTML knowledge.


2010s:

The proliferation of website builders (e.g., Wix, Squarespace) and portfolio platforms (e.g., Behance, Cargo Collective) made it easier for artists and photographers to create professional-looking online portfolios.

Social Media and Visual Platforms:


2000s-2010s:

The rise of platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Tumblr revolutionised how artists and photographers share and discover visual content. These platforms provided immediate access to global audiences.


2020s:

Continued dominance of social media, with platforms evolving to support more diverse content types, including videos, stories, and live streaming.

E-commerce and Online Sales:


2000s:

The emergence of platforms like Etsy and Society6 allowed artists and photographers to sell prints, merchandise, and digital downloads directly to consumers.


2010s-2020s:

The growth of e-commerce platforms and print-on-demand services (e.g., Redbubble, Printful) further expanded artists' ability to monetise their work.

Digital Copyright and Licensing:


2000s:

The proliferation of digital content led to discussions about copyright infringement and the need for better online protection for artists and photographers. Creative Commons licenses gained popularity as a way for creators to define the usage rights of their work.


2010s-2020s:

The advent of blockchain technology and NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) provided new ways for artists and photographers to authenticate and monetise their digital creations.

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR):


2010s-2020s:

Integrating VR and AR technologies into the art world has opened up new possibilities for immersive and interactive experiences. Artists and photographers have begun experimenting with creating digital art in three dimensions.

AI and Automation:


2010s-2020s:

Advances in AI have enabled tools like Adobe's Sensei, which uses machine learning to assist in the creative process. AI-driven art, generated by algorithms, has also gained recognition.


Digital identity in the current climate:


To understand the concept of identity culturally in the digital age, we must consider the social aspects of how we see ourselves and discuss the importance of understanding this concept in an increasingly digital world. Over recent years, an enormous cultural shift in identity has occurred. In most cases, we previously identified with religious, national, or political beliefs. Becoming more detailed and specific as our lives, especially on social media, become more complicated. The following is a simple breakdown of some key points.


Identity and Diversity:


The changing face of how we identify ourselves and what we choose to be rather than categorising has become an increasing factor today.


Technological Age Differences:


Different generations interact with digital technologies at various levels, including the digital divide between older and younger generations and how these generations use and understand digital technologies.


Case Studies:


The following examples illustrate some online communities that have fostered diversity or examples of how different generations use digital technologies.


Creating an online survey.


Following this analysis, I created a survey with questions centred on identity and culture. I've never made an online questionnaire before, and this was an excellent opportunity to test it as I may consider this in future assignments. The following is a breakdown of my questions.

From my previous research, I specified age, technological competency, diversity, both personal and cultural and profession as the basis of the survey. Having friends and relatives working in high-profile professions, education, and a mix of all the prerequisites above was a good mix for results.




1. Demographic Information:

◦ 1.1. Age:

◦ 1.2. Gender:

◦ 1.3. Educational background:

2. Digital Image Consumption:

◦ 2.1. How frequently do you engage with digital images on social media platforms?

◦ 2.2. In what ways do you typically encounter digital images in your daily life?

3. Cultural Representation:

◦ 3.1. To what extent do you believe digital images influence cultural representation?

◦ 3.2. Have you ever encountered digital images that challenged or changed your

cultural perspectives? If yes, provide an example.

4. Social Media Influence:

◦ 4.1. How has the prevalence of digital images on social media platforms affected

cultural interactions?

◦ 4.2. Do social media platforms accurately represent diverse cultural perspectives

through digital images?

5. Cultural Identity in Digital Images:

◦ 5.1. In what ways do digital images contribute to the preservation or alteration of

cultural identity?

◦ 5.2. Have you ever seen digital images promoting cultural understanding or bridging

cultural gaps?

6. Digital Art and Cultural Expression:

◦ 6.1. How do digital images contribute to cultural expression in art and creativity?

◦ 6.2. Do you believe digital art has the potential to reshape traditional cultural norms?

7. Globalization and Digital Images:

◦ 7.1. To what extent has the globalization of digital images impacted local cultures?

◦ 7.2. Have you observed instances where digital images have facilitated cross-cultural

exchanges?

8. Ethical Considerations:

◦ 8.1. Are there ethical concerns about using and disseminating digital images in a

cultural context?

◦ 8.2. How can individuals and organizations address ethical issues associated with

digital images in cultural representations?

9. Impact on Traditional Media:

◦ 9.1. How has the rise of digital images affected traditional forms of media (e.g.,

newspapers and magazines) in portraying cultural narratives?

◦ 9.2. Do digital images have a more immediate and widespread impact than

traditional media in shaping cultural opinions?

10. Cultural Sensitivity in Digital Image Creation:

◦ 10.1. How can digital image creators ensure cultural sensitivity in their work?

◦ 10.2. Do you think there are instances where digital images have unintentionally

perpetuated cultural stereotypes?

11. Educational Significance:

◦ 11.1. In what ways can digital images be used as educational tools to promote

cultural awareness?

◦ 11.2. Have you personally learned about different cultures through digital images?

12. Government and Policy Involvement:

◦ 12.1. Should governments play a role in regulating digital images to protect cultural

sensitivities? Why or why not?

◦ 12.2. Are there any policies or regulations that should be in place regarding using

digital images in a cultural context?

13. Future Trends:

◦ 13.1. How do you foresee the role of digital images evolving in the future in terms of

cultural impact?

◦ 13.2. Are there emerging technologies that you think will significantly influence the

cultural significance of digital images?

14. Personal Connection:

◦ 14.1. Can you recall a digital image that resonated with you on a cultural level?

What was it, and why did it have an impact?

◦ 14.2. How has your cultural background influenced your perception of digital

images?

15. Recommendations for Improvement:

◦ 15.1. What recommendations do you have for content creators, platforms, and users

to enhance the positive cultural impact of digital images?


Survey Reflection:


What went well - The combination of individuals from mixed race, indigenous and professional backgrounds resulted in some fascinating answers. Now that I've attempted my first survey, I'll be better prepared to do more complicated tasks.


What could have gone better - The app I used (Typeform.com) only offered ten users for the first survey. A larger sample would have provided better statistics and be more representative of the survey. I also had to reduce the number of questions from 15 to 10 as my completion rate was affected as it was too long.


Some examples of responses: Click to expand each example.



Final Results: Conceptualisation


Utilising all the data I collected, I used a generative image website to experiment. I asked it to consider all the data collected and portray what AI should look like if generated as a Scottish man.

The following images are the results achieved. I could have regenerated the image, but it should represent my initial idea.

The image of the Scotsman was perfect, but I was disappointed with how the circuit boards looked like an afterthought. As the technology improves, this will also improve.


This experiment also proves that, for the moment, AI relating to digital culture relies on what sources it searches. I may revisit the site and ask it to regenerate using the web as its reference.


References:

corporateName=National Museum of Australia; address=Lawson Crescent, A.P., n.d. National Museum of Australia - Faith Bandler’s gloves [WWW Document]. URL https://www.nma.gov.au/explore/collection/highlights/faith-bandler-gloves (accessed 11.22.23).

Defining Moments | Australia’s Defining Moments Digital Classroom | National Museum of Australia [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://digital-classroom.nma.gov.au/defining-moments?theme%5B%5D=4&year%5Bmin%5D=&year%5Bmax%5D=&query=&year_level=10&sort_by=field_def_mom_year&sort_order=ASC&items_per_page=16 (accessed 11.22.23).

Déplacé·e·s, Valeriia [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.jr-art.net/projects/deplace.e.s-valeriia (accessed 10.15.23).

designboom, christina petridou I., 2022a. italian government bans digital art sales by museums to protect their cultural heritage [WWW Document]. designboom | architecture & design magazine. URL https://www.designboom.com/art/italian-government-bans-nft-sales-museums-cultural-heritage-07-12-2022/ (accessed 11.19.23).

designboom, christina petridou I., 2022b. TOP 10 NFTs of 2022 [WWW Document]. designboom | architecture & design magazine. URL https://www.designboom.com/art/top-10-nfts-of-2022-12-17-2022/ (accessed 11.19.23).

designboom, myrto katsikopoulou I., 2023. first look: owen brown’s music video unveils one of the biggest land art pieces in arizona [WWW Document]. designboom | architecture & design magazine. URL https://www.designboom.com/art/first-look-owen-brown-music-video-biggest-temporary-land-art-piece-arizona-11-13-2023/ (accessed 11.19.23).

Inside Out Project [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.insideoutproject.net/en/ (accessed 10.15.23).

Pair of short white cotton gloves worn by Aboriginal rights activist Faith Bandler | Australia’s Defining Moments Digital Classroom | National Museum of Australia [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://digital-classroom.nma.gov.au/images/pair-short-white-cotton-gloves-worn-aboriginal-rights-activist-faith-bandler (accessed 11.22.23).

Parkhouse, A., 2023. The Top 10 Best-Selling NFT Artists Right Now. nft now. URL https://nftnow.com/art/the-top-10-best-selling-nft-artists-right-now/ (accessed 11.19.23).

Typeform: People-Friendly Forms and Surveys [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.typeform.com/?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_7207196 (accessed 11.19.23).

Windows Update Screen 1 hour REAL COUNT in 4K UHD !, 2022.

‘You can have it all back now … we’ve finished with it’, by Geoff Pryor | Australia’s Defining Moments Digital Classroom | National Museum of Australia [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://digital-classroom.nma.gov.au/images/you-can-have-it-all-back-now-weve-finished-it-geoff-pryor (accessed 11.22.23).























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