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Kiosk app: WayFinder (DSII)

Wayfinding kiosk work from my time at Dynamic Services International, Inc. (DSII). The goal was simple: help visitors find rooms, amenities, or event spots with large touch targets and almost no learning curve.

Problem​

Printed directories and static maps go stale fast. During events or busy campus hours, people still get lost. A kiosk has to be glanceable, forgiving, and usable without a keyboard.

Solution​

A map or directory-first layout with search, category filters, and step-by-step directions (or simplified path hints). High contrast, large taps, and an obvious “start over” path keep the next visitor from inheriting a stuck screen.

Impact​

  • Faster answers to “where is…?” without pulling staff off the floor.
  • Branding on the kiosk stays consistent with the venue.

Lessons learned​

  • An attract loop or timeout clears abandoned sessions so the next person is not stuck on someone else’s destination.
  • Cached maps or a last-known directory keep the kiosk useful when Wi-Fi drops.
  • Always test on the real hardware. Touch latency and viewing angle are nothing like a laptop.

Tech stack​

  • UI: Responsive web or native kiosk shell, per DSII product constraints
  • Assets: Vector maps, icons, optional floor plans
  • Data: Static JSON, CMS export, or a lightweight API