How do I create a map or hotspot interactive for my museum?
Are you looking for a way to create an engaging touchscreen experience, perhaps an interactive map or some other form of image / video with overlaid points of interest? Let us introduce you to our touchscreen software ‘Hotspot’…
The short answer to ‘How do I create a map or hotspot interactive for my museum?’ is to use our Hotspot app.
Below we’ll take a quick look at how Hotspot works, you can discover more about this unique software in this video, or the many other apps available in our Lightbox 3 package by hitting this link:
Supports high-res image or video backgrounds
Incredibly flexible design options
No programming ability required
Multi-lingual frontend
Sum it up for me?
Hotspot is just one app of many available in our Lightbox 3 package – Hotspot lets you create and share map-style interactives with visitors and comes with a user friendly manager that allows you to take complete control.
Essentially Hotspot lets you create 1. an Attractor screen that displays when your touchscreen is not in use. 2. Option Menu Screens that can link to multiple different Hotspot interactives, and then finally 3. the Hotspot interactives themselves. Scrollable or fixed images with further information overlaid via points of interest markers.
1. Attractor Screen
When Hotspot is inactive, a screensaver function can display a slideshow of your images on loop with a call to action inviting the visitor to interact.
2. Menu Screen
The menu system lets users choose which Hotspot to interact with (should you wish to display more than one). This supports multiple layers of sub-menus.
3. Hotspot Screen
This is where the Hotspot screen is displayed for visitors to interact with. An image or video can be overlaid with markers that when selected can display text, image, video or audio information.
How easy is it to use?
Putting your hotspot interactive together is incredibly simple to do thanks to the easy to use Content Management System.
Drag ‘n’ Drop your content
The Manager includes a very easy to use Library system; storing all of the media content you wish to display, including audio, images and videos.
Create your Hotspot interactive
First you add the background image you wish to use, for example a map. You can also add some descriptive text.
Add and customise points of interest
Add your Points of Interest and customise them with a range of options. Set the images, animate them and decide what happens when they are selected (access images, video, text or link to another screen entirely).
Customise your theme
Add a touch of branding to your Hotspot by using a theme. Themes allow you to adjust the appearance of your interactive, you can use custom fonts, set the UI colours, pop up styles etc. Create multiple themes for multiple different screens.
To give you a better idea of how flexible the Hotspot app is, have a look at how 4 previous clients have used it, these are Llyn Llech Owain, The National Oceanography Centre, Northam Burrows & Sewerby Hall.
Llyn Llech Owain
Hotspot was used in Llyn Llech Owain to create a unique interactive which helps demonstrate the significance of this SSSI.
This allows visitors to explore various points of interest overlaid on a map of the country park as well as view a demonstration of the bog in action.
National Oceanography Centre
Hotspot is used on three 43″ touchscreens at the National Oceanography Centre to create various interactives, including a timeline style interface allowing them to demonstrate the importance of their work. Browser was also used to share an online hosted virtual tour of the RSS James Cook.
Northam Burrows
Hotspot was used alongside other apps to create a unique user experience in Northam Burrows. A map with overlaid points of interest allows users to explore North Devon and bring to their attention areas of interest that are near their current location.
Sewerby Hall
Hotspot is utilised with a looping video background at Sewerby Hall, where visitors can learn about Amy Johnson in a fun interactive manner. then test their knowledge with Memory and Quiz.
That’s great but what if I need help?
Tutorials online
We have an in-depth tutorial for Hotspot along with tutorials for every application available in the Lightbox 3 package here.
Support
We also offer telephone and email support at no extra cost for as long as you need it!
We can make it for you
We also offer a service where we take your content then populate and brand your interactive for you. You can then use this as a starting point to add more content in future.