VaIL 2008
Two day conference on the theory, use, misuse, history, and emergence of visual language
July 21st & 22nd in San Diego, California at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center
News
ConferenceThe VaIL
conference is a newly initiated gathering to foster interchange and
innovation in the many interdisciplinary fields of visual language.
This succinct 2-day conference encompasses a broad array of topic areas
relevant to visual language. Within the context of this conference it
is intended for the term 'visual language' to refer to all possible
visual perceptual communication techniques including: representational and non-representational glyphs and icons, graphic
design, signed language, gesture, acronyms, and visual aspects of all
written language (hieroglyphic, ideographic, pictographic, syllabaries, or
alphabets.)
There is no registration fee for VaIL 2008. AgendaDay 1 - Monday, July 21st07:30-08:30 Registration09:00-09:20 Introduction 09:20-10:20 Dave Gray Visual literacy: Toward a visual alphabet10:25-11:05 Marion Ceruti Application of Maya Hieroglyphic Principles to Military Symbology and Communication (pdf)11:10-11:50 Geoffrey Draper A Visual Query Language for Correlation Discovery and Management (pdf)11:50-12:50 Lunch 12:50-13:30 Juan Wachs Considerations on Optimal Hand Gestures Design (pdf)13:35-14:15 Valerie Sutton & Adam Frost SignWriting: Sign Languages Are Written Languages (pdf)14:15-14:25 Break 14:25-15:05 Kwikpoint - Applications of visual language 15:10-16:30 Panel on Visual language production, navigation, and comprehension Day 2 - Tuesday, July 22nd09:00-09:40 LorRaine DuffyTactical Situation Assessment Technologies09:45-10:25 Vincent Dinh A non-optical method for capturing the muscular-skeletal configuration of a human body part (pdf)10:30-11:30Neil Cohn What is "Visual Language"11:30-12:40 Lunch 12:40-13:40 Panel on Gesture writing systems 13:45-14:40 Panel on Cross-cultural and cross-domain visual communication 14:40-15:00 Closing Remarks Conference TopicsInvited SpeakersDave GrayVisual literacy: Toward a visual alphabetHumans learn language in both natural and formal ways. In natural languages such as English, children learn to speak without formal instruction, while reading and writing must be methodically taught. In the absence of formal instruction, children typically do not learn to read and write. Formal languages, such as mathematics and computer programming must also be taught, because they are based on an explicit set of rules that do not emerge naturally. Language teaching begins with the introduction of basic elements, followed by rules that are used to combine the elements into more complex patterns. Letters are introduced first. Letters are then used to construct words, words are used to construct sentences, sentences are used to construct paragraphs, and so on. For example, instruction in English begins with the ABC book, where the alphabet is introduced by connecting symbols with sounds, as well as pictures of tangible objects. For example, A is for Apple, B is for Ball. After mastering the alphabet, a student moves on to construct words and then simple sentences. The same method is used to teach mathematics, which begins with the introduction of numbers and counting, followed by basic equations like 2+2=4, after which more complex patterns can be considered. This phased approach to learning allows students to grasp the most basic concepts and structures before combining them into complex patterns. Visual language, if it is a language, has no shared framework for formal instruction. A visual alphabet, vocabulary and grammar have yet to be defined and standardized. If literacy is defined as the ability to read and write a language, then a visually literate society requires a shared visual alphabet and grammar. In this talk, a visual alphabet and some basic rules of construction are proposed. The concepts are a synthesis of academic writings on visual language and observations of how visual language functions naturally in human interaction. Alan StillmanPractical Applications of Visual LanguageExperiences from the field in applying Kwikpoint visual language translators to real-world problems in military operations. Neil CohnWhat is "Visual Language" Many theories describing "visual language" have been emerging from diverse fields including computer science, communications, and design. However, often these approaches rely on metaphoric or folk notions of "language" without delving deeper into what language actually consists of, especially on a cognitive level. This talk will present Visual Language Theory from the view of linguistics and cognitive science to discuss what "language" entails, and thereby exploring just what it means to have a literal theory of a graphic modality of language. The result will be a view of graphic communication and the capacity for drawing that is embedded alongside other mental capacities and divorced from socio-cultural labels that stymie its recognition. Conference FocusThe conference invites the submission of papers on substantial,
original, and unpublished research in disciplines which are relevant to
the study and design of visual language. Topics of interest include but
are not limited to:
Panel TopicsPanel topics include:
LocationThe conference will be held at the SPAWAR top-side location on the Peninsula overlooking San Diego bay. Registration is required for all conference attendees as all visitors to the Space and Naval Warfare top-side campus must have visitor passes. Registered attendees will be provided with instructions for parking and obtaining a visitor pass. A VaIL conference organizer will meet registered attendees at the badge office between 7am and 8am each day. The location of the badge office is 49275 Electron Drive, San Diego, CA 92152.View Larger Map There are many hotels in the Point Loma and Loma Portal areas. Most of these are within 3 miles of the conference location. Shelter Island has several great hotels and wonderful views of the bay. Submission InstructionsPaper proceedings will be printed in full color where appropriate. Digital versions of the proceedings will be made available through the conference website and copies provided to all conference attendees.Electronic submission of manuscripts (in PDF format) is required. Papers are limited to 15 pages. At least one author of each accepted paper is required to register to the conference and present the paper. Submitted PDF documents should adhere to the following requirements:
Please include the following information in the submission email:
RegistrationThere is no registration fee for VaIL 2008.Register by sending our elegant Cut-and-Paste Email Registration Form to -----Email Registration Form----- Name: Company: Primary Field: Email: Phone: -----Email Registration Form----- vail@visualanguage.org |
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