GUI = Graphical user interface
The interactive installation "Ride the Byte" comprises a projection and a touchscreen which invites the user to interact with the system. My assignment was to embed an adequate GUI conception and design into this existing installation concept. The user interface should contain a representation of planet earth with links located on it that could be triggered to then depicts the geographical route (traceroute) the information packages covers while the content of a website gets transferred.
Dynamic list
The solution was a combination of a geographical map of planet earth, an area reserved for a dynamic list of links and several selection buttons to concentrate the list on certain categories.
This is how you can use the installation:
- You choose a geographical place pointing on the world map.
- The software will then generate a choice of selectable links that are related to this place.
- This selection can be narrowed down by chosing a category.
- After activating the link one can watch the bits and bytes moving around the globe.
The computer constantly generates a personalized list of links corresponding to the intuitive interaction by the user. One can easily and quickly narrow down her interests. This project remains one of my favorites because a substantial advantage of the computer as a means of communication becomes visible in the dynamic character of the interface.
Images
Credits
Concept and design: Joachim Sauter, Ralph Ammer
Programming: Axel Schmidt, Jörg Jacobs, Ralph Ammer
Project management: Gerd Grüneis