The primary objective of any exhibit is to engage and inform the audience in a very brief period of time. This goal can be accomplished by using multimedia technology in a properly designed interactive kiosk.

In its simplest form, a kiosk is a stand-alone, self-contained structure used to inform the public or conduct sales. In earlier days, it was a tall, cylindrical bulletin board in the public square, or a corner newsstand.

With the advent of low cost multimedia computers, touchscreens and specialized printers, the modern kiosk is an incredibly flexible information center. When you add a credit card reader or currency acceptor, the kiosk is transformed into a complete sales center. Customers get expert advice, make informed comparisions and complete purchases without waiting for the mythical "knowledgeable salesperson."

At trade shows, the kiosk is best used as an on-line product information center. It can be used to qualify leads by recording the many selections made by visitors when they swipe or scan their Show ID. By programming unmarked (hidden) touch buttons on the main menu, the exhibit booth staff can run demo programs or go directly to specific product information.

Most basic informational kiosks consist of a computer and touchscreen monitor housed in an attractive enclosure. Alternately, a laser disc player, key pad, and video monitor can be used. The enclosure design and signage must invite the customer to the kiosk promising the benefit of information without the pain of interacting with a person. When the customer is engaged in the kiosk presentation the enclosure deisgn and placement must facilitate a non-threatening approach by the exhibit booth staff. At that point, the kiosk can be used to break the ice or, if the visitor is "just looking," the kiosk presentation continues "selling."

To be effective, an interactive kiosk must be non-linear. That means information can be retried in any sequence, rather than waiting for the whole film to play.

The kiosk "presentation" begins with a short attract loop that keeps repeating until a key is pushed. Next, a menu appears that allows the customer/visitor to select the subject in which they are interested. Touching a button causes the program to go to the information screen requested or brings up a sub-menu. Don't frustrate your customer by requiring an excessive number of answers before they can get to the desired information. Navigation buttons, such as pause, repeat, return to menu, should be active at all times so the customer/visitor is always in control. Being in control is what makes interactive so engaging and effective. You never have to wait passively for the desired information to appear.

Portability and ease of set-up are also major issues for tradeshow applications. By using a specialized shipping case with a built-in ramp the kiosk can simply be rolled in or out in minutes. Conversely, museum installations need to be fixed in one position without drilling into the floor. This is accomplished by incorporating a non-skid pedestal base with heavy ballast inside, or by using leveling pads.

All kiosk designs must comply with the wheelchair access requirements of the American With Disabilities Act (ADA). Adequate ventilation, stability and maintenance are also important considerations. Modular designs allow flexibility if hardware changes occur.

If you expect the customer to spend more than 8 minutes in front of the kiosk, a sit-down configuration should be used. For locations with low ceilings or when the space behind the kiosk must be visible, a low profile design is required.
 

Before you can decide what you want the kiosk to do, you must have a basic understanding of what it can do. Luckily, a properly engineered kiosk can do most anything!

As usual, most of the major decisions are driven by cost. Without considering the software "program", the kiosk enclosure and multimedia hardware will range from $2,500 to $15,000.

With multimedia computers, digital video, and the latest presentation authoring software, programming costs have been reduced sign. The most costly item in any interactive multimedia production is shooting/editing new video. If your budget does not allow new video, it is possible to take existing film, video and photographs and "author" a very effective presentation. The $3,000 to $100,000 software cost can be spread over all of the kiosks being installed. Don't forget the cost of updating the program with new images and data.

Other factors impacting cost (in descending order):

1. Style of enclosure (must comply with ADA):
• Sit Down
• Tower
• Low Profile
2. Finish of kiosk enclosure:
• Corian™or Avonite™
• Wood veneer
• Metal or metal clad laminate
• High pressure laminate
• Painted wood or wood product.
3. Interactive interface:
• Touchscreen
• Trackball
• Pushbutton(s)
• Key pad
• Keyboard
4. Other input devices:
• Video camera with microphone
• Microphone and soundcard
• Scanner
• Card readers - smart card, bar code, mag strip
• Telephone handset and modem
5. Printer:
• Laser
• Thermal and thermal transfer
• Impact (dot matrix)

1. The printer must incorporate some mechanism to insure the paper output is not accessible to the customer/visitor until after it has been ejected fully from the printer. A drop box or belt transporter with papercutter will meet this requirement.
2. The printer must have a sufficient paper capacity. "Out of Paper" sends a message of incompetence to the customer.
3. The printout must be available quickly.