a system for interactively displaying and distributing information . the information may relate to consumer products , any type of article of commerce , marketing and advertising layouts , floor plans , planograms or any other type of information that is capable of being illustrated graphically . a consumer engages in an interactive information session with an attendant , such a help desk attendant . during the interactive information session , the attendant and consumer see synchronized displays of images or animations of the information , which may be manipulated by either one of them . the attendant and the user can communicate interactively by voice or text during at least part of the interactive information session . in another embodiment , two or more users of a system according to the invention can collaboratively design a product , marketing or advertising layouts , planograms , floor plans or other graphical information in an interactive design session . during the session one of the users controls the design at any time . different users may have control at different times . the users can engage in interactive voice or text communications during at least part of the interactive design session .