The photowall code (HTML5+CSS3+JS) runs continuously on an energy efficient commercial grade NEC 46″ HD touchscreen running Google Chrome, in fullscreen kiosk mode. Using a low power Mac Mini, as its hardware, the project automatically boots into Ubuntu Linux, launches Chrome into protected kiosk mode and, finally, loads the live photowall web application, hosted on the RI website. The application uses a dynamically generated json variable, created via a php script, that reads data from the RI MySQL tables. This means the names and images on the wall are always up to date and represent the 800+ people who are part of the RI community. The visibility and usefulness of the screen encourages students to come to photo portrait sessions. In addition to helping the RI community recognize each other, it allows staff, faculty, and students an opportunity to better understand each other’s roles, within the Institute, as well as where each is located.
When not in use, the screens rotate, in and out of view, via custom built CSS transition/animation. When the screen is touched, those automatic modes are disabled, allowing the visitor to take control. If enough time passes without a touch, the system will resume the auto rotate mode.
Initial prototypes were static HTML5+CSS3 pages, which progressed to static variable usage, and eventually the dynamically generated one. The process used to create this photowall mirrored the one taught in Grad Prototyping/IxD Lab.
Future plans for the project include the ability to filter photos by faculty, student and staff. The code/system has already been repurposed for Alumni events, where the faces and information were pulled from a different database.
Note: The photo wall was designed for this specific purpose and spec. The user experience will be impacted if viewed on your local version of Chrome. For this reason, I encourage you to take a look at the project, in person, on the 4th floor of Newell-Simon Hall near the kitchen lounge area.