RESEARCH
Research is to see what everybody else has seen and to think what nobody else has thought.
Albert szent-gyorgyi
Wayfinding refers to information systems that guide people through a physical environment and enhance their understanding and experience of the space.
As architectural environments become more complicated, people need visual cues such as maps, directions, and symbols to help guide them to their destinations. In these often high-stress environments, effective wayfinding systems contribute to a sense of well-being, safety, and security.
Comprehensive wayfinding systems often combine signage, maps, symbols, colors, and other communications. Increasingly, they integrate mobile applications, digital displays, RFID, and other wireless technologies.
Wayfinding has the function to inform people of the surroundings in the (unfamiliar) build environment, it is important to show information at strategic points to guide people into the right directions.
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Do not make them think
Create a comprehensive, clear and consistent visual communication system with concise messaging.
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Show only what is needed
Show information what relevant is to the space, location and / or navigation path.
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Remove excessive information
Remove unnecessary elements to create a clear visual environment ahead.
A successful wayfinding system should provide information for users to:
• confirm they are at the correct start or finish point of an individual journey
• identify their location within a building or an external space
• reinforce they are travelling in the right direction
• orient themselves within a building or an external space
• understand the location and any potential hazards
• identify their destination on arrival • escape safely in an emergency.
Landmarks
To create a legible environment it is necessary to mark specific spaces and / or locations. This reinforces the recognition of places and plays a part in overseeing a larger area. With the use of landmarks and marking elements an area will become more visible and will be understand better in the human memory.
Orientation
In order to navigate, you need to know where you are in the build environment and where other destinations are located. Preferably it is good to know the distance in time from one place to another. The usage of maps is a very powerful way of expressing and overseeing the build environment. Be sure to display the maps heads-up in the direction you are facing, this way you can easy relate yourself to the build environment.
signage design basics
There are four important type of signs:
Information signs,inform users about the features and facilities of a place or space. Information signs include directories, maps, building identification signs, notices and interpretative signs.
Directional signs, where information is displayed to find destinations, located on several strategic points in the build environment.
Identification signs, also referred to as ‘destination signs’, typically identify entrances, street addresses, buildings, rooms, facilities, places and spaces.
Warning signs, to indicate safety procedures such as a fire escape routes, no smoking areas and other regulations that is, or is not allowed in a specific area.
READABILITY
The literature varies on recommended minimum letter heights and viewing distances. However, it is suggested that for sighted people, 50 mm minimum height is an acceptable standard for visual legibility at a maximum of 15 metres.
Other suggested minimum letter heights for various sign types include:
• vehicular direction signs, internal roads, car parks and service areas: 60 mm
• external pedestrian direction signs: 60 mm
• internal direction signs: 30 mm
• building directory listings: 20 mm
• door signs: 17 mm
• tactile lettering: 15 mm (55 mm maximum)
http://www.hpw.qld.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/WayfindingDesignGuidelines.pdf
Design Guidelines & Specifications Managed Stations Wayfinding
Fred Gangemi
Associate, Steer Davies Gleave
Colour Contrast
Contrast between the foreground and background is one of the most important factors for the ease of reading. If coloured text is used on a bright background the contrast will be weak, for optimal contrast results is white text against dark colored backgrounds.
Arthur & Passini described in their book Wayfinding from 1992 a reliable calculating method to calculate the contrast difference between two colors. The formula is based on the light reflectancy (LR) readings in percentages for each of the two colors involved. By substracting the darker color from the lighter color, divided by the difference by the lighter, and multiplying by 100, we get brightness differential. When the brightness differential is 70 percent or higher the legibility is assured. When it is less, the legibility cannot be assured and those colors should not be using in that combination.
http://designworkplan.com/design/signage-and-color-contrast.htm
Black is one of the few surfaces that lets other colored text work great together.
White backgrounds can be used specific sign projects where design plays a bigger part than the actual wayfinding.
Blue is one of mankind favorite color, as is represents sky, heaven, trust and faith. The color blue is good recognized with white lettering as information sign. In the Netherlands all highway signs are with blue background as well as the railway signs.
Yellow with black lettering sends out a clear information message which is needed in such an environment.
Red is often used for warning signs, red sends out a signal of warning, danger. Many of the warning signs consist of a red background with yellow or white lettering, by using pictograms as warning the signs are multi-language and don’t need explanation, even if you cannot read the text.
LAYOUT, ARROWS ECT ...
The best inspiration is all around us, just open your eyes.
university idenity guidelines
Lakeside Campus will be part of the University of Worcester and I wanted to use their official look so it's can proudly represent. First, what I have found was colour combination, color palette and the exact shade of blue that is used by the University of Worcester. My first idea was to stick to their accent color palette but then I was afraid it would not be that visible in a natural environment as all of these tones are pretty natural. For my outdoor orientation, I would like to use much bright color co they can see the main point from the distance.
for my typeface I have decided to go with an official typeface of the university. I have managed to get Clarendon Roman typeface- an alternative for this one could be Arial Black
Forestry Commission creating various of information board around the country. Most of them are very interesting and avaiable even for people with disabilities. Whether it is using various colors, illustration, craving or brails, Forestry Commission takes in mind who their audience is - age - kids/adults and content for them, if the visitor knows about the location or whether it is new for him but also disabilities that people can have.
Eg: HILL FORT BOY
A carved wooden character of a boy in a dead tree stumps - this character formed part of the story and created a trail for kids so they can follow and find all the different marks which are part of the story
Detail image from stainless steel circular panoramic locator. Perfect for the top of a hill, this device sits on top of the hill fort. It will tell you what are you looking at in all directions. Doesn't rust, remains clear.
Mortimer Forest
It's main directional board shows site and all possible routes via color map. Shows some history related to the site via illustrations.
What I like and planning to use is they "engraving letter" style. It is simple but very effective and dynamic
Using University logo
Using signage as wi-fi booster?
One thing I have been thinking was also using wi-fi around the Lakeside campus. People these days are "addicited" to being online all the time so my idea is to include wi-fi booster into each information board. People do not have to use their mobile data and be online from wherever the want to be (within Lakeside campus).
