Understanding exactly what ‘Wayfinding’ is can perhaps be confusing and understandably so. So in this post let us look at wayfinding planning process and procedures and what is generally involved.
Many people naturally, when first introduced to the term wayfinding, assume that it is all about directional signage and sign-posting. I have heard terms such as way-signing used interchangeably with the term wayfinding and yet these terms are very different in meaning. So let me explain the differences for you below.
Table of Contents
Wayfinding, Navigation and the Effective Use of Space – Landmarks and Structures
In order to immediately explain why wayfinding is so much more than signage, take a look at the photo above, which I took whilst in Porto, Portugal.
Space can be used to direct people to and through spaces, and this can be a very important and useful technique, and can often greatly decrease the need for signage.
The use of landmarks is important in this use of space.
Tall structures, which provide an aerial view by which you can guide yourself, can be especially helpful for those unfamiliar with an urban area, or any travel space.
Landmarks, when used correctly, can make for excellent guidance mechanisms. Large indoor buildings, such as airports, can also make effective use of landmarks.
Effective Naming Conventions
A very common issue with many wayfinding systems is the use of terminology and naming systems and this is a very inexpensive thing, which can be improved to aid the effectiveness of a wayfinding system.
Helping people to navigate efficiently is more than just signage. People need to be clear on their destination and to know when they have reached that destination.
A recent example I experienced, whilst on the local university campus, was being told to go to the ‘CSM Help Desk’.
I had no idea where on the campus this was, not because of the location of each building, but because I and no one I asked (including some staff) knew where the CSM Help Desk was.
It turned out that the help desk is a fanciful name the university now uses instead of the word ‘reception’ and CSM stands for ‘Cardiff School of Management’.
Once you know what it means, it might then seem obvious and one feels like a fool for not realising what it meant.
This is a typical situation though and those who often work in buildings and in outdoor areas which need to be used by others, often use terminology that the general public is not familiar with.
This is a common problem also in hospital wayfinding, where the discourse used by doctors and other medical staff, is a different discourse used by patients.
Returning to the university example, the same university now calls their ‘library’ a ‘learning centre’.
On first trying to find their library pages online to find the opening hours, I found myself going around in circles on their website because I had no reason to be looking for the opening hours of a ‘learning centre’.
The key is to pay attention to naming conventions and to consider the user.
Do not try and name locations and buildings in a fanciful way, which will simply create more confusion for those who need to navigate in such locations.
Also, take care not to over-use the terminology only staff will understand.
Tactile and Mobility Considerations
You might design what you feel is a nicely planned and implemented wayfinding system and everyone is happy.
The signage is clear and positioned at or just before key decision points, but have you considered the needs of users or those with sight and visibility problems?
Including planning for tactile kerbs, wheel-accessible pavements, kerbs and ramps, is important. Tactile surfaces provide a warning to those with issues such as sight problems, that they are approaching the edge of a surface such as where the pavement meets the road’s edge.
The city of Plymouth (England’s Ocean City) provides us with a good working example (see the photo below).
Colour Coding and Lighting
The use of light (such as in the image below) and the use of colour coding such as with colour-coded buildings or coloured lines on the floor, can be highly effective when used correctly.
Architecture
Architectural design plays such a vital role in wayfinding.
What is important to recognise is that if a building is badly designed in terms of being able to navigate the interior spaces, then it can sometimes mean that no amount of signage or no change in the signage system, no matter how good, can save some buildings or travel spaces.
One shopping mall in the UK actually closed down a few years ago after people failed to use the venue with serious problems reported in the design and navigability of the space.
Where possible, wayfinding should be integrated into initial designs. This may seem obvious but it is often ignored!
Props and the Wayfinding Planning Process
Props, including shrubbery, flowers and trees, can also be sometimes used to influence the movement of people through space, by using props to highlight key doorways, paths or routes.
Entrances to buildings, parks and other outdoor spaces are not always obvious and subtle use of props can sometimes be used and signage avoided. In order for signage itself to be effective, it is important to avoid signage clustering (read more on signage clustering), and props offer an alternative to using signs sometimes.
Commercial Viability
The immediate belief of many people when thinking about wayfinding is that it is about trying to guide people as directly as possible.
This does not account for the commercial viability of many projects and does not necessarily account for the need for sustainable design and systems.
This is a major area within wayfinding, which I will detail for you in coming posts (or email me to discuss).
Online Integration
Integrating offline wayfinding with online resources is now vital if you want to create an effective system. Offering for example:
- Downloadable and printable maps.
- Accessible travel maps and guidance (i.e. for wheelchair users).
are just two examples of how your site should be utilised as a part of the wayfinding process. Terminology once again becomes an issue because, on many travel-related websites, the term ‘accessibility’ is used in relation to the accessibility of the website itself i.e. how sight-impaired users can increase the font size on a website.
So take care to use terminology which will guide online visitors to your site to the correct information to complement your offline wayfinding system.
Final Thought
I have tried to give a brief introduction above to some of the key factors which make up the field of wayfinding and the wayfinding planning process and procedures. What should be clear now, though, is that wayfinding is far more than just being about signage.
