Kiosk is a small, freestanding structure or booth designed to provide information, goods, or services to the public in a variety of settings, such as retail spaces, transportation hubs, or public areas. Kiosks have evolved from simple newsstands or telephone booths to more sophisticated, interactive digital displays that offer a wide range of functions. In the context of design, kiosks play a crucial role in enhancing user experiences by providing convenient, accessible, and efficient means of interaction. The design of a kiosk involves considerations of ergonomics, aesthetics, and functionality, taking into account factors such as user flow, interface design, and the integration of technology. Kiosks can be designed for various purposes, including information dissemination, self-service transactions, product demonstrations, or even vending. The evolution of kiosk design has been greatly influenced by advancements in digital technology, enabling the incorporation of touchscreens, sensors, and other interactive elements. From a user experience perspective, well-designed kiosks should be intuitive, easy to navigate, and accessible to a diverse range of users, including those with disabilities. The aesthetic design of a kiosk should also align with its intended environment and brand identity, while being durable and secure to withstand public use. As technology continues to advance, the design of kiosks is likely to evolve further, potentially integrating features such as artificial intelligence, biometric recognition, and augmented reality to create even more engaging and personalized user experiences.
interactive, self-service, digital, touchscreen, wayfinding, vending, information, accessibility, user experience
A kiosk is a versatile structure that can be used for a variety of purposes, including dispensing goods or services, providing information, and conducting transactions. Kiosks can be found in a variety of settings, such as retail stores, airports, and public spaces. They are typically designed to be user-friendly and provide quick and easy access to the information or services they offer. Kiosks can be standalone structures or built into larger structures, such as walls or other buildings. They can be open-air or roofed, and can have one or more sides from which goods or services are dispensed. Kiosks have a long history, dating back to at least the 17th century. The word kiosk is derived from the Persian word kiushk, which means pavilion. Historically, kiosks were small open-sided structures with roofs and often with walls, located in public spaces such as parks and marketplaces. They were used by travelers, merchants, and the general public to purchase food and drinks and conduct short transactions. In the modern context, the term kiosk has been extended to include any of the various types of commercial structures with similar purposes, such as newsstands, digital signage, and other retail outlets. Kiosks can be used for a variety of purposes, including dispensing goods and services such as food, beverages, and tickets, providing information such as maps and directions, and conducting transactions such as payments and reservations. They can also be used for advertising and marketing purposes, such as displaying digital signage and interactive displays. Kiosks are typically designed to be user-friendly and provide quick and easy access to the information or services they offer.
structure, dispensing, information, transactions, user-friendly
CITATION : "Thomas Smith. 'Kiosk.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=313646 (Accessed on July 07, 2025)"
Kiosk is a noun whose meaning is an open-air or roofed structure with one or more sides from which goods or services are dispensed. Synonyms for kiosk are booth, stand, stall, stand, and counter. Antonyms for kiosk are box, cabin, and shed. Cognates for kiosk are shop, booth, stand, and store. Variants of the word kiosk are tocksey (Old English), tascia (Latin), tasche (Old French), and daschet (Middle English).
Etymology morphology Kiosk linguistic study word origin word form word origin word class word definition word family
The word ‘kiosk’ dates back to at least the 17th century, derived from the Persian word ‘kiushk’, which means ‘pavilion’. Historically, a kiosk was a type of small open-sided structure with a roof and often with walls, commonly located in public spaces such as parks, marketplaces, and near city gates, where travelers, merchants and the general public could purchase food and drinks and conduct short transactions. In the modern context, the term has been extended to include any of the various types of commercial structures with similar purposes, such as newsstands, digital signage, and other retail outlets. Morphologically, the word kiosk includes two connected roots, the Greek 'koas,’ meaning 'summer house' or 'pleasure house', and the old French 'kiosque,' meaning a pavilion or summer house with open sides. Pragmatically, the word has come to be used to refer to any of the various types of physical or virtual commercial structures, including those in airports, shopping malls, and other public spaces.
etymology morphology kiosk, linguistics word-formation, historical origin, semantic development, pragmatics retail-outlet.
Kiosk is an open structure, either standalone and free-standing, or built into a wall or other larger structure, typically used to house one or more vending machines for selling a variety of goods. In addition to vending machines, kiosks can be used for informational and educational purposes, to hold internet computers, and for other operations. Equivalent words for ‘kiosk’ found in other languages include Cabina (Italian), Quiosco (Spanish), Kiosque (French), Kiosk (German), lavka (Russian), stoopwinkel (Dutch), putik (Tagalog), kyosu (Japanese), baowei (Mandarin), and quiosque (Portuguese).
Kiosk synonyms: Cabina, Quiosco, Kiosque, Lavka, Stoopwinkel, Putik, Kyosu, Baowei, Quiosque.
A kiosk is a computerized terminal that provides information or services to customers. It typically consists of a touch screen display, a printer, and a payment processing system. Kiosks are often used in retail stores, restaurants, airports, libraries, and other public places. They are designed to be user-friendly and provide information or services quickly and easily. Kiosks can also be used to accept payments, print tickets, or provide access to digital content.
Kiosk technology, touch screen, interactive, digital signage, self-service.
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