Why you need a small Independent Wayfinding Auditor?
Table of Contents
The Problem of Analysing Your Own Location
No matter how much money is spent on a new wayfinding system, there are always issues that are overlooked.
A brand new signage system is complex and difficult to get right the first time and many things are always overlooked by companies who create these systems.
Problems that can occur include because:
- The person who analyses and documents what is needed is too familiar with the location and thus fails to view it from the point of view of a first-time visitor.
- Graphic designers who are involved in the process, very rarely have any direct expertise in wayfinding.
- Not enough attention was given to collecting qualitative data before-hand (i.e. interviewing the intended users of the system – we collect qualitative data in order to get to the bottom of existing issues and to preempt future problems).
- The company being used are one of many used (such as if different parts of the location have been developed by different signage companies). This is a very common problem and can result in a chaotic wayfinding system that had much conflicting signage, designed differently such as with different colour systems and terminology standards on the signage. We see this issue occur very often in locations such as hospitals and airports especially.
- Comprimised Interests – Hiring a signage company (in addition to being contracted to produce and put up signage) to do the analysis and reports on your signage needed can be counter-productive, given that the signage company will benefit from you having more signs.
A key distinction also is that a wayfinding person who works as part of a large signage company, architectural firm, or for a wayfinding company can often give guidance that is not truly independent given the sale of signage and other related services in very often tied into reports.
So what does an independent auditor do?
What we do as Independent Wayfinding Auditors
As a small team of wayfinding auditors who specialize in providing reports that factor in all elements of wayfinding, we do the following (although it depends on the budget and needs of each business):
- Evaluate your location as a whole (including access to the location and exits such as from local roads).
- Collect qualitative data via basic qualitative techniques to better understand any existing issues with how people navigate your location. We choose key locations to undertake the data collection.
- Evaluate access for all user types including disabled travelers and those with other special needs.
- We also focus on the commercial needs that you might have as we see wayfinding as something that also importantly needs to meet the needs of businesses. Steering users past key commercial points is something we include in our reports.
Request an Independent Wayfinding Audit
Simply CONTACT US via the contact form and we can discuss your location and set up a wayfinding audit.
