Interactive Display Overview

As an alternative to forward projected presentations conducted in darkened spaces, the GSD's Interactive Displays [ID] combine large scale touch screen technology with image asset management software in order to foster the presentation of digital media, as well as to facilitate the remote participation and interaction of outside instructors or critics with design content. The system is intuitive and easily assimilated into the design environment.

Advantages | Presentation Formats | Reserving

Advantages

Unlike forward projecting peripherals, such as boxlight, the touch screen technology and related software can:

compose presentations in a manner that replicates traditional review and lecture structures
use natural finger gestures to replace keyboard or mouse input
view presentations in full room light, with no part of the image blocked by the individual presenting
support standard visually based file formats
compare different design solutions side by side, be they images, movies, or a combination of the two
make annotations on design solutions or image assets in order to clearly illustrate, archive, and save critical commentary
zoom into specific details
augment 3rd party supported software- such as Powerpoint, Flash, or CAD- with annotation and archiving
tumble 3D models in real time
share the same image assets with workstations set up in remote locations

Presentation Formats

The Interactive Display system supports two basic presentation format structures:

linear, which conveys the material in a set sequence, and is not primarily concerned with interactive participation throughout [ex. lecture or powerpoint presentation]

nonlinear, which is centered upon encouraging dialogue, and permits the ability to randomly access image assets, draw and note ideas [annotation], or compare image assets [ex. desk crit, work session, or discussion]. This method takes best advantage of the Portfolio Wall software.

The links below list typical presentation formats for which the Interactive Display System can be used. The format selected should be based on what information the user wishes to convey, and how they wish to convey that information. Each topic describes the format, discusses the environments for which they are suited, and any technical advice that would assist in their development. Only issues that apply specifically to the listed formats are covered. Therefore, it is highly recommended that fluency in Portfoliowall's project setup and basic navigation be acquired prior to creating a presentation.

The ID system provides a means of presenting 2D, 3D, and 4D digital images or files in either a local setting or over distances augmented by teleconferencing. These translate into the following presentation formats:

2D Linear [Portfolio|Wall or Powerpoint]
2D Nonlinear [Portfolio|Wall with embedded 3rd party software]
3D Presentation Format [Portfolio|Wall or 3rd party software]
Distance Learning/ Videoconferencing

Presentation Data Storage

There are two options for storing the image assets that make up a Portfolio Wall Presentation. Students and faculty compose their presentations on their own workstations, and upload the images or files into a 'nettemp' folder. During presentations, these assets are accessed from 'nettemp' over the network; the Portfolio Wall software then provides a medium by which to organize the assets or launch 3rd party applications.

You can use the 'nettemp' folder and access your files over the network. This is convenient but the files only last on 'nettemp' for 24 hours. If you plan to make changes to your presentation in Portfolio Wall that you would like to save, you need to make sure to transfer the saved file back onto your personal computer from 'nettemp'.

The alternative is to burn your presentation to a CD-RW and open it locally. The CPU's on the Interative Displays are equipment with a CD burner so you can rewrite any changes you would like to save. This has the added advantage of allowing the screens to move anywhere in the school regardless of network availability.

For best results, keep images and movies at or near 1280x768 and 72dpi or similar proportions. Presentation quality and performance are not improved with image resolution set greater than 150dpi.

Reserving an Interactive Display

Please make a reservation for the plasma screen, in person, at the help desk in room 520. The Displays are stored in the 5th floor hallway but are not free for the taking without a reservation. There is currently no time limit on reservations but once the reserved time slot is over, the screens must be returned to their storage location. If the screens are not returned to the 5th floor hallway, the next borrower will be scrambling around to find it.