Investigating Menu Discoverability on a Digital Tabletop in a Public Setting

A common challenge to the design of digital tabletops for public settings is how to effectively invite and guide pass-ersby\—who often have no prior experience with such tech-nology\—to interact using unfamiliar interaction methods and interfaces. We characterize such enticement from the system interface as the system\’s discoverability. A particu-lar challenge to modern surface interfaces is the discovera-bility of system functionality: does the system require ges-tures? are there system menus? if so, how are they invoked? This research focuses on the discoverability of system men-us on digital tabletops designed for public settings. An ob-servational study of menu invocation methods in a museum setting is reported. Study findings suggest that discernible and recognizable interface elements, such as buttons, sup-ported by the use of animation, can effectively attract and guide the discovery of menus. Design recommendations for improving menu discoverability are also presented.