A new interactive table + wall that Scott Minneman pointed me! Scott is the CTO of Onomy, an american company specialized in the design of interactive systems. Thanks to Onomy's Interactive Wall, users now have the opportunity to explore a scene or graphic in a very engaging new way. In the first installation, they move the monitor around a diorama of the city -- on the monitor, parts of the city 'come alive' and animate scenes of how the city is being changed by wireless and network technologies. They also have several tables that rocks like this one. What is even more interesting is their research-based approach:

When embarking upon the development of a new technology, we engage in "genre-based design." This methodology begins by analyzing the genre of the design situation to determine the relevant cultural conventions that (1) govern the social situation of use and deployment, (2) shape user/visitor expectations, and (3) ultimately influence the symbolic meaning of the new technology.

A genre defines not only the technological form, but also the social framework for the experience of the technology. We methodically analyze both the formal and informal conventions that influence the meaning of technology. Based on this analysis, we augment the scope and objectives of the design problem, and proceed to create a genre-sensitive design for the form and interaction of the new technology.

Why do I blog this? because we're into interactive tables recently because of the learning center project + the workshop we're organizing about it.