Pinwheels: visualizing information flow in an architectural space

ABSTRACT

We envision that the architectural spaces we inhabit will become an interface between humans and online digital information. We have been designing ambient information displays to explore the use of kinetic physical objects to present information at the periphery of human perception.This paper reports the design of a large-scale Pinwheels installation made of 40 computer-controlled pinwheel units in a museum context. The Pinwheels spin in a "wind of bits" that blows from cyberspace. The array of spinning pinwheels presents information within an architectural space through subtle changes in movement and sound.We describe the iterative design and implementation of the Pinwheels, and discuss design issues.

REFERENCES

• 1: Hiroshi Ishii , Brygg Ullmer, Tangible bits: towards seamless interfaces between people, bits and atoms, Proceedings of the SIGCHI conference on Human factors in computing systems, p.234-241, March 22-27, 1997, Atlanta, Georgia, United States [doi>10.1145/258549.258715]
• 2: Hiroshi Ishii , Craig Wisneski , Scott Brave , Andrew Dahley , Matt Gorbet , Brygg Ullmer , Paul Yarin, ambientROOM: integrating ambient media with architectural space, CHI 98 conference summary on Human factors in computing systems, p.173-174, April 18-23, 1998, Los Angeles, California, United States [doi>10.1145/286498.286652]
• 3: Andrew Dahley , Craig Wisneski , Hiroshi Ishii, Water lamp and pinwheels: ambient projection of digital information into architectural space, CHI 98 conference summary on Human factors in computing systems, p.269-270, April 18-23, 1998, Los Angeles, California, United States [doi>10.1145/286498.286750]

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Theory and methods

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.1 MODELS AND PRINCIPLES
      H.1.2 User/Machine Systems
          Subjects: Human information processing

  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.6 SIMULATION AND MODELING
      I.6.8 Types of Simulation
          Subjects: Visual

General Terms:
Algorithms, Design, Human Factors

Keywords:
ambient media display, background, information flow, peripheral awareness, tangible user interface, visualization