Problem Statement: With the expansion of interactive graphics in contemporary cities—particularly within both animated and static posters—the concept of interaction has increasingly become tied to the active, multisensory participation of citizens. However, within the dynamic and multilayered fabric of the city, the interactive potential of these media and the agentive role of passersby have received limited scholarly attention. Richard Mayer’s theory of multimedia learning offers a suitable framework for analyzing citizens’ perceptual experiences and enhancing the interactive function of urban posters. Accordingly, revisiting the notion of interaction in posters and aligning it with Mayer’s principles is essential for analyzing audience perception and learning processes. This study seeks to answer the following questions: How is interaction represented in animated and static urban posters, and what role do multimedia learning principles play in shaping the audience’s interactive experience in urban space?

Research Objective: To reinterpret the concept of interaction and apply multimedia learning principles to interactive urban posters and audience experience.

Research Method: This is a fundamental research with a qualitative approach, employing descriptive–analytical and comparative methods, and it carries an applied dimension. Data were collected from reputable library and online sources and examined with a focus on Mayer’s theoretical principles. In this regard, two interactive posters were analyzed as case studies: the animated poster Volt Format and the static poster Arsenic Season Opening, both of which align with urban graphic applications and serve as notable examples of multisensory interaction in the city environment.

Conclusion: Findings indicate that interaction in animated and static urban posters manifests in two forms: physical and perceptual. Moreover, aligning Mayer’s multimedia principles—including dual channels, limited capacity, and active processing—enhances the intentional use of citizens’ sensory channels and increases message retention in their working memory. Consequently, the audience transforms from a passive receiver into an active, participatory meaning-maker.