subject: Eye-catching Design: A Must For Kiosk Solutions [print this page] Interactive kiosks have proliferated into every aspect of modern life. From computer kiosks at airports, catalog kiosks at the department stores, a gallery guide at an art museum, informational kiosks on a busy downtown street, kiosks help people buy tickets, shop for unique products, learn new information, plan vacations, surf the internet, and much more.
Although you may have seen them everywhere, you might be wondering what exactly an interactive kiosk is. They are free-standing computer terminals designed for public consumption that provide a self service option of some fashion; an example of a kiosk that most people are familiar with is the ATM, or automatic teller machine.
Kiosks are transforming public places, including the ways consumers purchase goods and the manner they access information. One of the quickest kiosk areas of growth is that of self-service checkout. Many grocery shoppers and other retail customers today use the self-checkout kiosks to speed the conclusion of their shopping errand.
When a kiosk is on the more utilitarian side, such as an ATM or a self-checkout at the local hardware store, its design elements match that function. These interactive kiosks usually reflect their workaday appeal with low-key, matter-of-fact visual design.
Yet although these kiosks are so widespread they are probably the most familiar version for many people, they have counterparts in luxury hotels, art galleries, international plazas and other locations that require much more dynamic visual appeal.
A longstanding rule of sales, as well as in the related fields of marketing and advertising, is the Seven Second Rule. It states that you have seven seconds to intrigue the interest of a passing shopper, website surfer, tourist or anyone coming across your ad, website copy, or other information. If you don't grab their attention firmly enough in those first seven seconds, they will lose interest and pass on by. If you do catch their eye for that long, they will stay to take in more of what you have to say.
The Seven Second Rule holds true for kiosk design as well. A head-turning design can supply the "wow" factor that will engage passersby and make them want to use the kiosk. Furthermore, a well-thought out kiosk design will match its aesthetic elements to the environment in which it is placedenhancing both its own appeal and that of the space.
In addition to its aesthetic appeal, a good kiosk design is ergonomic in its hardware placement while taking into consideration regulatory guidelines such as ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) or UL (Underwriters Laboratories.) The design should also have an intuitive flow in the user interface design, the graphics on the screen should be easy to read and attractive. Using the kiosk should be comfortable and easy. Again, if a kiosk patron can't figure it out within seven seconds, he or she will likely move on. As with all computer based devices, user friendliness is a key factor. Depending on the kiosks functionality, additional areas of concern involving privacy arise. If the kiosk is designed properly there are many things that can be done to ensure private information stays private.
When a kiosk design is thoroughly thought out they make convenient and effective additions to a modern landscape. When kiosks also offer an intriguing and enriched design elements they enhance their environment's visual appeal; in some cases rising to the level of modern sculptures.
