The design of digital memorials: scaffolds for multicultural communication based on a semiotic analysis of tombs

Abstract

This research is aimed at supporting the design and customization of digital memorials and similar applications from the same domain, considering users' multiculturalism. To do so, we focus on interface communicability and the semiotic elements such applications may use in terms of content and expression. This stage of the research consists of a qualitative study: a semiotic analysis of tombs, tombstones and physical memorials from four cemeteries from different cultures. The main results of this study are: a description of the design space of digital memorials considering social actors and their objectives upon interacting with the application; and the identification of scaffolds to analyze the design process in digital memorials. We expect that these results support customizable system projects that address cultural aspects in digital memorials.