Large Display Information Visualization in Public Spaces

Uta HinrichsInteractions Lab – Innovis Group

University of Calgary, Department of Computer Science2500 University Drive, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada

uhinrich@ucalgary.ca

ABSTRACTFor my doctoral research I am exploring the potential andchallenges of large display information visualizations in pub-lic settings such as museums. The combination of informa-tion visualization as a means to represent abstract data andinteractive display technologies, shows great potential forengaging visitor experiences. However, public spaces withtheir diverse audience and distractions introduce particulardesign challenges for such information installations. Em-bedded in an interdisciplinary context drawing from com-puter science, art, and design, my research focuses on howto initialize interaction with large display information visu-alizations in such public settings, and how to promote activeengagement with and discussion of information. Based onfour case studies my research will add to the general un-derstanding on how non-experts approach large display in-formation visualizations in museum spaces and inform thedesign and evaluation of such installations in this context.Author KeywordsLarge display interaction, information visualization, publicspaces, information exploration, user experience.

ACM Classification KeywordsH.5.m Information Interfaces and Presentation: Misc.

INTRODUCTIONThe goal of my research is to further our understanding ofhow information visualization combined with large interac-tive display technology can be applied to public settings.Public spaces such as museums, art galleries, and librariesare frequented by people for entertainment, relaxation, and/oreducational purposes. The combination of new technologysuch as large touch interactive displays and information vi-sualization to represent abstract data can enrich such spacesby inviting people with different interests and expectations toexplore information. The public context, however, raises de-sign challenges regarding interactive displays. For instance,in contrast to work or home settings, public spaces are char-acterized by a highly diverse audience that can vary in age,education, expectations, or attitude toward technology [4]. Itis common for public exhibits to be approached by severalvisitors at the same time who do not necessarily know eachother [5]. Furthermore, activities and interactions with pub-lic exhibits are usually spontaneous and open ended. Visitorsoften serendipitously browse through the presented informa-tion searching for something that triggers their interest [1,4]. The duration of the interactive experience is usually brief

Submitted for review to DIS Doctoral Colloquium 2010.

and non-recurring, calling for intuitive, walk-up-and-use in-terfaces. Considering these challenges, my research is struc-tured around the following questions:

1. How to motivate and initialize interaction with large dis-play information visualizations in public spaces?

2. How to promote engagement with information on multi-ple levels, e.g., lightweight browsing and deeper analysis?

To address these research questions, I am designing and eval-uating different large display information visualization pro-totypes within the museum context based on an experimen-tal design approach. As a general contribution, the findingsfrom these case studies will be summarized as a conceptualframework to describe the use of large display informationvisualizations in public settings. Furthermore, my researchwill inform general design considerations for such installa-tions, including aspects of information and interaction de-sign and physical setup, and derive recommendations forevaluating information visualizations in public settings.

CASE STUDIESmemory [en]codeDesigned for a gallery setting, memory [en]code is an inter-active large display information visualization that exempli-fies the dynamic behavior of human memory in an artisticway [3]. Cell-like visual structures float on the surface of alarge digital table (see Fig. 1(a)); each representing a thoughtor a memory. People can actively add new memory cells bytyping their thoughts, memories, or experiences into the sys-tem. Merging cells leads to the creation of a new cell thatinherits the appearance and content from its “parent” cells.Depending on their amount of text and people’s interaction,cells age over time until they completely disappear. The con-tent of the visualization therefore constantly changes, invit-ing visitors to construct their own meaning and personal as-sociations of the installation. memory [en]code representsmy initial foray into questions around promoting engage-ment with information, providing opportunities for longervisitor interaction and encouraging return visits. These areimportant factors in both of my research questions.

EMDialogCreated for an exhibition of paintings by the expressionistartist Emily Carr, EMDialog is a large display informationvisualization that invites museum visitors to explore the ex-tensive discourse around the artist [2]. Two interlinked in-formation visualizations are shown on a large tilted touchinteractive display as well as on a large video projectionon an adjacent wall (see Fig. 1(b)). Both visualizations are

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(a) memory encode in an art gallery. (b) EMDialog in a museum setting. (c) Aquarium study.

Figure 1. Case studies.

based on a tree metaphor to honor the most prominent themein Carr’s paintings. The visualization resembling a tree cutsection represents statements about and by Carr in tempo-ral order where each tree ring represents a decade. For thetree diagram visualization, each of these statements has beenembedded in a hierarchical diagram of associative terms toprovide more context. Both visualizations are interlinked:selecting a statement in the cut section brings up the accord-ing tree diagram and vice versa.

My field observations of EMDialog in use and the analysisof visitor comments have led to empirical insights on my re-search questions regarding information exploration and en-gagement. My results show, e.g., that the interplay betweensuch factors as rewarding both short and long-term inter-action, supporting open-ended as well as guided informa-tion exploration, and accommodating group interaction arecrucial choices in addressing the diverse audiences and pro-moting social experiences and discussions. Furthermore, thevisibility of the large display technology, direct touch inter-action, and visually appealing representations of informa-tion can motivate and initiate interaction with large displayinformation visualizations, even in museum settings wheremultiple information displays compete for visitor attention.Interactive Aquarium TablesI conducted a third case study at the Vancouver Aquariumthat involved two digital tables designed by the companyIdeum1. This opportunity allowed me to study third partylarge display exhibits in light of my research questions. Thetable applications enable aquarium visitors to explore infor-mation about the Arctic. My study of these interactive table-top exhibits included observations and video recordings ofvisitor interactions in-situ, as well as, interviews with peo-ple that I accompanied on their Aquarium visit. For my dataanalysis, I am focusing in particular on the use of ad hocmulti-touch gestures as part of walk-up-and-use informationvisualizations, and patterns of individual and collaborativeinformation exploration.

RESEARCH STATUSThe data analysis of the aquarium study is still in progress.I am also currently developing a fourth case study to fur-ther explore the role of active participation for promoting the1http://www.ideum.com/

discussion of information as part of a large display visualiza-tion. The findings from all four case studies will provide thefoundation for a conceptual framework describing the useof large display information visualization in public settings,such as museums, as well as general recommendations forthe design and evaluation of such installations.

The doctoral colloquium will allow me to contrast my ini-tial findings and my interdisciplinary research approach thatdraws from the areas of science, design, and art with theviews of other researchers from the interaction design com-munity. From this discussion I hope to get guidance to struc-ture the remainder of my research and to form a consistentbody of work with broad impact on the research communityand practitioners.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTSI would like to thank my supervisor Sheelagh Carpendaleand my iLab colleagues for their support, as well as iCOREfor funding my research. I would also like to thank HollySchmidt who collaborated with me on memory [en]code andEMDialog and SMART Technologies for their support.

REFERENCES1. S. Allen. Designs for learning: Studying science

museum exhibits that do more than entertain. ScienceEducation, 88(S1):S17–S33, 2004.

2. U. Hinrichs, H. Schmidt, and S. Carpendale. EMDialog:Bringing information visualization into the museum.IEEE Transactions on Visualization in ComputerGraphics, 14(6):1181–1188, 2008.

3. H. Schmidt, U. Hinrichs, A. Dunning, andS. Carpendale. memory [en]code—Building a collectivememory within a tabletop installation. In Proc. ofComputational Aesthetics, pages 135–142. EG, 2007.

4. C. G. Screven. Information Design, chapter 7:Information Design in Informal Settings: Museums andother Public Spaces, pages 131–193. MIT Press, 2000.

5. D. vom Lehn, C. Heath, and J. Hindmarsh. Exhibitinginteraction: Conduct and collaboration in museums andgalleries. Symbolic Interaction, 24(2):189–216, 2001.

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