pervasive :
interface/display :
design an interactive application for a public space that uses a pervasive interface/display system.
imagine that any surface in a public space can be covered with a continuous interface and display material. Entire floors/walls/counter-tops can become both display and interface. What would this be good for? How would it work? In a world where buttons and interface seem to be dominating, what happens when pervasive visual display becomes possible?
Assignment:
Create visuals that mock-up a retail or public space interactive application that uses a pervasive, large interface and display system that covers entire surfaces in the environment.
- come up with at least two uses for the system
- create scenarios for the uses
- describe how the visuals and interface will work
- generate several mock-ups in photoshop to indicate how the system will look and work
Issues to address:
- what are the interface affordances?
- what is the relationship between communication display and interface? how do the mix? consider the failures of the bmw iDrive, which confuses interface and display.
- how can a completely flexible display improve the public space? what are the benefits of pervasive interface/display?
- how are graphics, video, animation & sound combined?
- how is the display divided up, if at all? is the entire surface always on? do parts go dark? when, why?
- how do the interface elements work? how are they visually or sonically represented?
- are there interface attachments? i.e. physical things that are fixed, or portable and can moved and attached to the system?
retail considerations :
Retailer issues:
- branding
- floor space
- inventory {space, variety}
- inventory aging { gap-outlet, sales, clearance}
- seasonality
- displays {manequins, window, tables}
- location of items { how to rotate?}
- support services
- store layout
- dressing room problem
- long waits
- theft
- lounging space {shopping partner problem}
- supply chain {RFIDs}
- check-out
- customer hacking
- where is my stuff?
- returns
- competition from the Internet
Customer Issues:
- bad products {quality}
- bad service
- sales people not available or too present
- don't have size!
- need unbiased opinions about products