SAMoN: a semiotic abstract model of navigation

Abstract

This thesis describes a high level model of navigation, called SAMoN. SAMoN is built on several main properties. They are the context being navigated, the task that a subject is attempting, and the signs that lead a subject towards making decisions as they navigate. Each main property is explained in terms of several sub-properties or axes. The thesis begins with a comprehensive literature review of existing models of navigation, as well as an introduction of Peircean semiotics upon which SAMoN is based. SAMoN is then derived and built. The thesis then considers innovative ways in which it can be applied. Several ideas are developed and discussed in more detail, including a design methodology, and the adaption of SAMoN to govern heuristics for both user interfaces and navigational environments.