The Interface Model of Reality Mediation

This dissertation critically examines the evolution of Mixed Reality (MR) classification frameworks, arguing that current technology-centered definitions remain tethered to outdated 1990s conceptualizations despite three decades of debate. While recent scholarship has expanded to include user experience metrics as defining criteria, the field continues to narrowly associate MR primarily with wearable computing and head-mounted displays. This limited perspective overlooks contemporary experiences mediated through alternative technologies such as holograms, image reprojection, parallax simulation, transparent displays, and large-scale outdoor screens—innovations that have outpaced existing analytical models and classification systems. Building upon Milgram and Kishino's foundational work, this research proposes a revised taxonomic structure that establishes criteria based on user interface experiences rather than technological specifications. By addressing the central question of how an updated, experiencebased framework could enhance the design of audience or non-interactive experiences, this dissertation aims to decouple MR from body-worn devices, enabling new possibilities for audience spectatorship and environmental integration. The resulting classification model will provide valuable guidance for practitioners and academics studying the implications and affordances of contemporary MR environments, ultimately informing design expertise that makes mixed-reality illusion possible in diverse contexts.

Date

2025-04-24

Resource Type

Text

Resource Subtype

Dissertation

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