When Handwriting Goes Social: Creativity, Anonymity, and Communication in Graphonymous Online Spaces

TL;DR

This study defines Graphonymous Interaction (GI) as anonymous online communication via handwriting and drawing within a Graphonymous Online Space (GOS) on CollaNote. Using thematic analysis of over 600 canvases, 20 interviews, and 70 minutes of Conversation Analysis and Multimodal Discourse Analysis, the authors show that GI fosters artistic expression, intellectual engagement, sharing, social connection, and identifiable handwriting as a form of graphological identity. CA and MDA reveal smooth, non-linear turn-taking enabled by visual cues, spatial layout, color coding, and canvas-switching, with fewer conversational repairs than text-based chats. The work highlights applications in democratic art, mental health support, and community building, while addressing accessibility, anonymity, and moderation challenges, and outlines directions for future research and platform design.

Abstract

While most digital communication platforms rely on text, relatively little research has examined how users engage through handwriting and drawing in anonymous, collaborative environments. We introduce Graphonymous Interaction, a form of communication where users interact anonymously via handwriting and drawing. Our study analyzed over 600 canvas pages from the Graphonymous Online Space (GOS) CollaNote and conducted interviews with 20 users. Additionally, we examined 70 minutes of real-time GOS sessions using Conversation Analysis and Multimodal Discourse Analysis. Findings reveal that Graphonymous Interaction fosters artistic expression, intellectual engagement, sharing and supporting, and social connection. Notably, anonymity coexisted with moments of recognition through graphological identification. Distinct conversational strategies also emerged, which allow smoother exchanges and fewer conversational repairs compared to text-based communication. This study contributes to understanding Graphonymous Interaction and Online Spaces, offering insights into designing platforms that support creative and socially engaging forms of communication beyond text.

Figures (23)

• Figure 1: An example of a conversation extracted from CollaNote and converted into PDF for our analysis.
• Figure 2: A collage of user-generated artwork from the GOS platform, showcasing a variety of artistic styles and expressions
• Figure 3: A collage of user-generated artwork on the GOS, showcasing a range of emotions through diverse artistic styles, including playfulness, calmness, empathy, love, and introspection
• Figure 4: Example of user interaction on the GOS, where a user in black handwriting asks for feedback on their art, and another user in blue handwriting responds with appreciation and encouragement.
• Figure 5: The collage highlights the collaborative environment fostered by spontaneous user feedback, and appreciation on art work.