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Pattie Maes. Leong, Joanne Sau Ling Program in Media Arts and Sciences (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) 2021-05-25T18:22:06Z 2021-05-25T18:22:06Z 2021 2021 https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/130832 1252628223 Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, February, 2021 Cataloged from the official PDF version of thesis. Includes bibliographical references (pages 85-95). Virtual representations of ourselves can influence the way we think, feel and behave. While this phenomenon has been explored heavily in the realm of Virtual Reality, little is known about the utility of synthetic media and real-time camera filters to reshape the perspective we have of ourselves and our capabilities. At the same time, the prevalence and popularity of these technologies have surged, coupled with greater usage of online communication tools. Motivated by a desire for self-improvement in an age of online digital communication, this thesis aims to investigate how synthetic media and real-time camera filters can be used to influence performance in target tasks, particularly in the realm of communication and creativity. This work encompasses the results of an extensive online survey (174 respondents) regarding the professional use of video-based online communication tools. It unveiled that there is an interest in self-improvement in this context and that the self-view feature of such tools may serve as a potential channel for helpful user input. Building upon this, a user study was conducted (28 participants) in which generative AI was used to synthesize videos of participants excelling in confident communication. It was found that exposure to this form of personalized media may alter feelings of confidence and stress and be implicitly helpful to some by serving as personalized role-models and guides. Following this, a second user study was conducted to explore real-time self-image manipulation via real-time camera filters (21 participants) in video calls. It was observed that applying such filters may trigger various responses in people with regards to mood, embodiment, and creativity. This thesis extends research into the topic of self-image manipulation and opens up a novel perspective that such technologies may help to serve as accessible and scalable approaches to manipulating one's self-view to nurture personal growth. by Joanne S.L. Leong. S.M. S.M. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences 137, 1 unnumbered pages eng Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT theses may be protected by copyright. Please reuse MIT thesis content according to the MIT Libraries Permissions Policy, which is available through the URL provided. http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582 Program in Media Arts and Sciences Investigating the use of synthetic media and real-time virtual camera filters for supporting communication and creativity Thesis Program in Media Arts and Sciences (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) application/pdf 2021-05-25T18:22:06Z Publication Master Media unknown unknown <Publication xmlns="https://www.openaire.eu/cerif-profile/1.1/" id="dbe352d6-0ca4-4bb2-bf51-ee69fbae716b"> <Type xmlns="https://www.openaire.eu/cerif-profile/vocab/COAR_Publication_Types">http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_1843</Type> <Language>eng</Language> <Title>Investigating the use of synthetic media and real-time virtual camera filters for supporting communication and creativity</Title> <PublishedIn> <Publication> </Publication> </PublishedIn> <PublicationDate>2021</PublicationDate> <Authors> <Author> <DisplayName>Leong, Joanne Sau Ling</DisplayName> <Affiliation> <OrgUnit> </OrgUnit> </Affiliation> </Author> </Authors> <Editors> </Editors> <Publishers> <Publisher> <DisplayName>Massachusetts Institute of Technology</DisplayName> <OrgUnit /> </Publisher> </Publishers> <License>http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582</License> <Keyword>Program in Media Arts and Sciences</Keyword> <Abstract>Virtual representations of ourselves can influence the way we think, feel and behave. While this phenomenon has been explored heavily in the realm of Virtual Reality, little is known about the utility of synthetic media and real-time camera filters to reshape the perspective we have of ourselves and our capabilities. At the same time, the prevalence and popularity of these technologies have surged, coupled with greater usage of online communication tools. Motivated by a desire for self-improvement in an age of online digital communication, this thesis aims to investigate how synthetic media and real-time camera filters can be used to influence performance in target tasks, particularly in the realm of communication and creativity. This work encompasses the results of an extensive online survey (174 respondents) regarding the professional use of video-based online communication tools. It unveiled that there is an interest in self-improvement in this context and that the self-view feature of such tools may serve as a potential channel for helpful user input. Building upon this, a user study was conducted (28 participants) in which generative AI was used to synthesize videos of participants excelling in confident communication. It was found that exposure to this form of personalized media may alter feelings of confidence and stress and be implicitly helpful to some by serving as personalized role-models and guides. Following this, a second user study was conducted to explore real-time self-image manipulation via real-time camera filters (21 participants) in video calls. It was observed that applying such filters may trigger various responses in people with regards to mood, embodiment, and creativity. This thesis extends research into the topic of self-image manipulation and opens up a novel perspective that such technologies may help to serve as accessible and scalable approaches to manipulating one&apos;s self-view to nurture personal growth.</Abstract> <Access xmlns="http://purl.org/coar/access_right" > </Access> </Publication>