Open AccessAugmented facets: A semiotics analysis of augmented reality facial effects
Author(s) -
Federico Biggio
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
sign systems studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.17
H-Index - 7
eISSN - 1736-7409
pISSN - 1406-4243
DOI - 10.12697/sss.2021.49.3-4.13
Subject(s) - augmented reality , semiotics , empowerment , spark (programming language) , social reality , aesthetics , sociology , psychology , computer science , human–computer interaction , epistemology , art , social science , political science , philosophy , law , programming language
Augmented reality facial effects represent a new trend in social media communication based on ‘short forms’. The article proposes a tripartite analysis: a semiotic analysis of digital facial effects used to empower the natural users’ faces; a deconstructionist analysis of Spark by Meta, one of the major software applications to create such effects and, finally, a critical reflection on the practices prescribed by Spark and the stereotypical aesthetics of augmented selfies. The conclusion states that such forms of augmented reality effects must be conceived not as oriented to the cognitive improvement of users’ performance but rather as forms of users’ empowerment and self-awareness.