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