As digital interfaces evolve, ambient displays are becoming a critical tool for integrating multisensory data into everyday environments. Unlike traditional visualisations that demand direct attention, ambient displays operate at the periphery of perception, using light, sound, temperature, or movement to subtly communicate information. However, as these displays evolve, so does the need to understand their relationship with data and the context in which they exist.
Beyond Peripheral Awareness: Understanding Context in Ambient Displays
Historically, ambient displays have been discussed in terms of peripheral awareness—providing information in a non-intrusive manner. However, research by Vande Moere & Offenhuber (Beyond Ambient Display) suggests that ambient displays should not only be classified based on how they present data but also on the context in which they exist. Their model proposes three categories:
- Visualisation as Translation – Data is presented in an abstract form, independent of its environment (an ambient color-changing orb that visualises air quality).
- Visualisation as Augmentation – The display integrates into an existing object, enhancing its natural affordances (a lamp that glows brighter based on energy consumption).
- Visualisation as Embodiment – The display itself is the context, shaping meaning through its physical presence (large-scale urban installations that respond to public data).
By categorising displays in this way, designers can better align the modality, environment, and function of ambient displays to create more intuitive and meaningful interactions.
Designing for Subtlety and Context
The effectiveness of ambient displays lies in their ability to convey meaning without overwhelming users.
- Selecting the Right Modality – Light, sound, or haptics should be chosen based on how users engage with their environment. A museum exhibit might use soft pulses of sound to indicate visitor density, while a wearable device could use gentle temperature shifts.
- Context Sensitivity – Displays should align with their physical and social context. A public installationvisualising air pollution might use smoke-like visuals, reinforcing an intuitive connection between representation and data.
- Balancing Functionality and Presence – An ambient display should enhance awareness without becoming the focal point. If too dominant, it shifts from being “ambient” to demanding attention, which can disrupt the user experience.
The Future of Ambient Displays in Multisensory Data Design
By rethinking ambient displays as context-sensitive interfaces rather than just passive visualisations, designers can integrate seamless, non-disruptive data experiences into everyday life. Whether through urban-scale data sculptures, responsive architectural spaces, or adaptive environmental displays, the next wave of ambient visualisation will focus on how context shapes perception—blurring the line between information and environment.
Reference
D. Offenhuber, “Beyond Ambient Display,” International Journal of Ambient Computing and Intelligence, 2009.
Designing and Evaluating Ambient Information Systems: Workshop at Pervasive 2007, The 5th International Conference on Pervasive Computing, Toronto, ON, Canada, May 13, 2007.
