A totem resting on a touchscreen display integrates a display at an upper surface to present visual information to an end user. Totem orientation is determined from totem touches at the touchscreen display and applied with other factors to orient the presentation of visual information at the totem to the orientation of an end user viewing the touchscreen display. Visual information presented at the totem may include input icons to associate the totem with an application, notifications from applications, and content presented at the touchscreen display under the totem.