What kind of interactivity is possible?

We're often approached by individuals with extremely creative ideas and asked what's possible.

If you're looking for something unique, LUMO's custom development team can help.

This article describes different types of interactive experiences, and explains the best use and limitations of each one.

Motion, gesture and touch

A motion sensor, camera, or touch-sensitive device is used to track and respond to touch, gestures, or body movements.

Best for:

• Experiences at eye level, where users can clearly connect what their hands or bodies are doing with a change in the visual and/or auditory experience.
• Standalone installations that don't require instructions.
• Increasing dwell time.
• Creating shareable moments.
• Introducing brand elements.

Limitations:

• Many sensors used to produce this type of interaction are not designed to be used outdoors and will not work in sunlight.
• Interactions will not be clear if too many people are interacting in a small space.
• There is no layer between what users do and the display or result of their action, so some types of content (like entering words or drawing pictures) may cause moderation problems in public situations.

Web or app interaction

A website or app is access through a second screen (personal device, kiosk) to interact with the installation. 

Best for:

• Installations visible by large crowds or at a great distance, like from a stage.
• Hybrid experiences where an online component is desired to reach virtual participants.
• Content that evolves over time through crowd participation.
• Repeat interactions that create a sense of collaboration and community.

Limitations: 

• Users need access to a second screen (kiosk, personal phone, computer) to interact.
• Requires instructions directing users to go to a website / download an app.
• A persistent connection to the internet or a LAN is necessary.

Data driven

Content evolves in response to time-based data, such as semantic sentiment analysis on social media, environmental conditions, traffic flow etc...

Best for:

• Global or hyper-local visuals that reflect current environmental or social conditions in a creative way.
• Communicating a specific changing condition quickly in areas with high pass-through traffic.

Limitations: 

• Data from 3rd party sources may have restrictions or paywalls now or in the future.
• A persistent connection to the internet is usually necessary unless data is being collected locally through sensors.

Augmented reality

Combining virtual and live video elements to produce content that places visitors in a virtual world, or overlays virtual elements on a live video stream of the real world.

Best for:

• Installations visible by small crowds or at a moderate distance, like in a courtyard or mall.
• Hybrid experiences where an online component is desired to reach a virtual audience.
• Increasing dwell time.
• Creating shareable moments.
• Introducing brand elements.

Limitations: 

• Background extraction typically requires a chroma keyed wall or controlled environment in outdoor environments (only relevant if you want to place people in a virtual world).
• Works best when visitors are told where to stand or when virtual elements are designed to appear in places where people can't stand (like a dragon flying overhead).
• Content is highly customized and can be difficult to change.

Audio, pressure, buttons, and other sensors

There's no limit to what can be used as an interactive input. Makey Makey style systems can turn a banana into a button. Conductive paint, arcade buttons, audio sensors, pressure pads, midi controllers, and analogue switches and knobs can all be used to create a tactile experiences.

Best for:

• Installations for one visitor at a time or small groups.
• Indoor projects or projects with a dedicated fabrication team
• Projects where accessibility is a concern.

Limitations: 

• This is literally the option with the most moving parts, and those parts will break when a lot of people touch them, and will need to be fixed.
• Software developed for custom controllers is typically highly customized and may have higher long term maintenance costs.
• Depending on the controller, content development may be more difficult. Standard arcade buttons that emulate keystrokes are easy, a custom-made neon theremin that only one guy knows how to fix will be hard.

Final words

It's possible to combine any or all of these types of interactive experiences to create something truly dynamic that visitors can engage with on multiple levels, so there's no reason to restrict yourself to one!

Ready to discuss your project? Contact us!