“Interactive signage” is changing from simply providing information to creating immersive experiences. At the same time, the actual mechanism by which a user interacts with a display is changing from simple physical interaction to electronic interaction.

The emblematic example of physical interactive signage is the touchscreen display, which we are all familiar with and, despite COVID, will likely become more common. The first finger-driven touchscreen was invented by Eric Johnson of the Royal Radar Establishment in Malvern, England, in 1965, gained popularity in ATMs and wayfinding kiosks, and after the advent of the iPhone and iPad touchscreen displays proliferated virtually everywhere—and now even wide-format equipment manufacturers tout the “iPhone-like” touchscreen control panels of their printers and other units. It is even possible to buy touchscreen displays for your computer for around $200–300 in BestBuy or Walmart. In the world of dynamic digital signage, touchscreen kiosks continue to be popular for wayfinding and providing other information in private spaces. Retail locations have been adding interactive “swipeable” displays for “immersive customer experiences.”

Touchscreens can be either finger- or stylus-driven. For public signage and interactive kiosks, finger-driven touchscreens are the more feasible option, as there is the chance of a stylus getting lost or stolen, even if it’s secured with a cable.