Category: Thesis

Next, I will begin my research by identifying key keywords related to my topic, such as “digital identity,” “virtual self,” and “psychological effects of digital immersion.” These keywords will help guide my searches for relevant academic articles, books, and papers. I plan to use both the university library and Google Scholar to find reliable sources that will deepen my understanding of how digital technologies and virtual worlds are shaping personal identity.

Identify Keywords:

• I will start by identifying the most relevant keywords for my topic. Some of the key terms I plan to focus on include:
  • Digital Identity
  • Virtual Self
  • Avatar Representation
  • Psychological Effects of Digital Immersion
  • Self-Perception in Virtual Worlds
  • Identity Fragmentation in the Digital Age
  • Virtual Reality and Selfhood
  • Ethics of Digital Identity Manipulation

Utilize Google Scholar:

• I will use Google Scholar to find recent studies on the topic. For example, I can search for phrases like:
  • “Impact of digital immersion on self-perception”
  • “Philosophy of identity in virtual reality”
• I’ll also use the “cited by” feature to explore related studies and follow key authors who specialize in digital identity.

Review Articles and Books:

• After gathering my search results, I will skim through the abstracts of articles to assess their relevance.
• I will prioritize peer-reviewed journals and books that discuss the theoretical and psychological aspects of digital identity.

After a lot of reading, I finalised the topic “The Digitalisation of Humanity: How Virtual Worlds and Technology Lead to the Dissolution of Personal Identity“

After finalising my topic, I began framing a key research question that captures what I want to explore:

How does the increasing immersion in virtual worlds and digital technologies contribute to the dissolution of personal identity, where individuals may eventually identify exclusively with their digital selves?

This topic feels especially relevant right now, as digital spaces continue to blur the line between what’s real and what’s constructed. With so much of our identity being expressed—and even experienced—online, I want to critically examine how our sense of self might be shifting, dissolving, or being redefined in these spaces.

The key research areas I will be looking into are:

1. Philosophy of the Self in the Digital Age

What does “self” even mean in a world where it can be split, edited, or simulated?
→ Is our digital self an expansion of who we are, or is it a loss of the “real” self?

2. Digital Identity Construction

I will then explore how people build, project, and live through virtual selves on social media, in gaming, or in VR.
→ How do we curate, edit, and perform our identities online? Are these still authentic representations of who we are, or are they entirely constructed?
→ What happens when our digital selves start feeling more “true” than our offline selves?

3. Virtual Embodiment and Presence

I want to look at how we “become” our avatars or digital selves in immersive environments like VR or online games.
→ How do we embody these digital representations of ourselves? And what happens when the boundary between the user and the avatar breaks down?
→ Does this create a sense of disconnection from our physical bodies?

4. Psychological Impacts of Immersion

Then I’ll be looking at how deep digital engagement affects how we perceive ourselves, our mental health, and our self-worth.
→ This includes things like digital dissociation, online disinhibition, and how constant virtual interaction can fragment our sense of self.
→ Also, how does emotional dependence on digital validation (likes, followers, avatars) affect our mental state?

5. Future of Identity & Digitalisation

Finally, I’ll speculate on where this is all heading: What happens to human identity in a world dominated by AI, virtual environments, and neural integration?
→ Are we moving toward a post-physical, fully digitized version of selfhood? How will this shape who we are in the future? Will we identify solely as our digital selves losing any sense of self identity?

I think this topic is super relevant right now, especially as we move closer to fully immersive digital lives. The question isn’t just how we use technology—but how it’s shaping the very core of who we are.

This week, I spent time thinking about the direction I want to take for my FMP Thesis. From the beginning, I knew I wanted to focus on 3D animation because it’s where my main interest and passion lie. I didn’t want to pick just any random topic — it felt important for me to choose something that reflects what’s happening in the industry right now.

I started by looking at the trends and shifts in animation, especially how technology is evolving and influencing creativity. I’ve been noticing how tools and techniques are rapidly changing, and I wanted my research to feel current and relevant to the future of the field. At the same time, I kept thinking about how animation goes beyond just visuals — it carries meaning, emotion, and impact.

My process has mostly been about balancing my curiosity for technical innovations with my interest in the deeper themes animation can explore. I’ve been doing a lot of reading, watching industry talks, and reflecting on what excites me the most. Gradually, this has helped me narrow my focus and feel more confident about the direction I want to take.

The potential topics I shortlisted were:

• The Digitalisation of Humanity & Effects on Personal Identity
• The Ethical Responsibility of Animators in Portraying Violence and Trauma
• The Role of 3D Animation in Preserving Cultural Narratives

When I was exploring ideas, ‘The Digitalisation of Humanity & Effects on Personal Identity‘ felt like the right choice because it connects directly to what I’m most interested in — how digital technology, especially in 3D animation and virtual spaces, is changing the way people see themselves. I’ve been thinking a lot about how people are spending more time in digital environments, and how things like virtual avatars and online identities are starting to feel like extensions of real life.

Since I also wanted my topic to reflect current trends in the industry, this felt like a perfect fit. It lets me look at both the creative side of building digital worlds and the deeper effects on personal identity. I like that this topic isn’t just about technology, but about people too — how they connect, express themselves, and even change because of these digital experiences.

For this assignment, I’m working on a draft literature review for my FMP thesis. I need to choose a research question or problem related to our course, outline my research objectives (150-200 words), and gather relevant academic sources to support my ideas.

The goal is to build a foundation for my thesis proposal, using Harvard referencing and ensuring all sources are properly cited. This draft will help me refine my thesis direction and will be a key part of the feedback I get to improve my final proposal.

Nigel had us answer a few questions in the beginning itself that helped me get clarity on the areas that I can be potentially interested in, and how I can relate my Thesis topic to my FMP practical submission. The questions are:

1. On graduation, which area or environment of production do you wish to focus upon and why?

After graduation, I plan to specialize in environment building and storytelling through short films, particularly in cinematic worlds. This allows me to create detailed worlds and explore different themes, which I find exciting and meaningful.

2. What skills will you need to attain the standards required for vocational practice?

To meet industry standards, I need to:

• Improve my animation skills, making movement look more natural and realistic.
• Expand my knowledge in world-building, particularly in Unreal Engine.
  I’ve gained some experience in these areas during Term 1 but need to push further to master them.

3. How will you showcase your FMP practice for the final shows?

My FMP will be a short film that lets me focus on narrative storytelling, animation, and immersive world-building. It will be shown at the final show, allowing others to experience my creative work.

4. Is it important to directly connect the thesis research to your practical work?

Yes, my thesis research is directly linked to my FMP. Both focus on the digitalization of identity and virtual worlds. Themes like losing oneself in digital spaces, isolation, and constructed realities will be explored through my film’s story and world-building.

5. Do you have an area of research you wish to conduct that is unrelated to the practical element?

No, all my research is connected to my practical work, as it helps inform and shape the themes and concepts I explore in my film.