Exploring the role of data-supported social interaction manifested through public displays

This paper presents the early findings of studies in the role of data informing the interaction between the user, the public and public display. It focuses on exploring how different strategies amplify and stimulate these data-supported interactions. Building on the work by Tomitsch et al [13], we establish a taxonomy for data-based features under the category of key elements in urban visualisations: 1) addressed topics, 2) input technologies, and 3) visualisation output. We analyse how factors facilitate social interactions meaningfully through case studies of previous projects implemented and developed by Media Architecture research community. We suggest that data properties and manifestation play a significant role in 1) sustaining attraction to passersby 2) enriching public understandings of display, and 3) encouraging diverse participation.