Interactive Displays in Public Space

Interactive Displays in Public Space

 

Daniel Michelis, Anhalt University of Applied Science

www.magicalmirrors.de

 

Interactive large format displays have presently found their way into many places in

public space. After a long phase of experimenting with prototypes only recently have

technically mature applications been observed that are used in an increasing number

of potential areas. This research project examines the motivations behind the use of these

applications.

 

Serving as the point of departure are four large format displays of the installation

Magical Mirrors, developed as prototypes by the author of this work, and which

allowed the first experiences with the use of interactive large format displays in public

space to be collected even before the beginning of the investigation. These initial

experiences were taken into consideration in developing the research questions and

design.

 

At the center of the work is an analysis of theoretical motivations in which five

motivational factors are determined according to previous research work and in

consideration of the demands specific to interactive large format displays. In the

analysis of these factors a set of tools of fundamental motivations are identified from

which design elements for interactive large format displays in public space can be

derived. The results of the analysis are subjected to an empirical examination. In 15

partial experiments the observed user behavior of a total of 4640 passersby is

analyzed.

 

On the basis of this empirical investigation this research project presents – as one of the

first scholarly works in this area – a contribution to the understanding of the

fundamental motivations behind the use of interactive large format displays in public

space.

Done