FizzyVis

Abstract

Multitouch screens are being increasingly deployed in public settings. In order to provide useful information to users in an attractive way, playfulness of the interaction is a relevant characteristic. In this paper, our contribution is FizzyVis, a walk-up-and-use interface that displays information through bubbles reacting to touches, and its design goals. The interface following a "ball pool" metaphor presents three types of bubbles animated and linked to each other by gravitation and magnetism: content bubbles, browsing bubbles and map bubbles. FizzyVis supports playful use through catching curiosity, projecting users in a playful state of mind, enabling easy and explorative information browsing, enticing playful gesturing and collective play, and rewarding finish. FizzyVis is evaluated regarding these design goals in a field study at a music festival over several days. The UI was useful to find information and playful. We detail the use of the installation to uncover generic lessons to be learned and explore further potential of FizzyVis.