OUGD405 Studio Brief 01 - Design Process - Way Finding - Questionnaire

I decided to create a questionnaire to help me better understand what someone who also lived at the building thought of the system. This would help inform my ideas and design decisions.

This is a screenshot of the questionnaire that I created:

Overall my flatmate believed their was a need to create a more directional way-finding system that is cohesive with the design but making it a lot clearer.

OUGD405 Studio Brief 01 - Design Process - Way Finding Feedback

Feedback from peers:
Today I got feedback from my peers for my way-finding project.
Within the feedback I got from my peers what was generally noticed is that the coloured arrows on the black signs, the purple arrows don't appear to be very clear. From a distance the purple on black was hard to see, and this was something I had noticed myself. To tackle this problem it was suggested to have back lit arrows so that they would definitely be visible from most distances. I think this is a really good idea and one that I will apply to my designs as it will also improve legibility and work well at different lightings such as at night time.
They liked how the different coloured arrows depicted the blocks (purple) and other facilities (green) this will make navigation and association clear and easy. The way in which the colour scheme also stays the same and follows the theme already set within the accommodation will help to not confuse existing residents and the design could be bought in cohesively working with the theme well.
Highlighted sections on signs to indicate what block you are in they also thought this was a strong idea as is distinguishes between the other blocks improving how easy it is to understand.
The pictograms are easy to understand and can work at any size and scale, the rounded edges creates a friendly approach which will work well in an environment where people are going to live. Someone disliked the green although they did understand the association with the logo. They asked me to consider changing the background of the icon to green and the outline to be white as they believed it to be more impactful at different scales, this is something I will consider as I don't think a white background would stand out at a distance. The consistency of the line thickness across the pictograms creates a well ordered and easily legible system for visitors to follow. However I need to consider changing the games room pictogram into a pool table or something more general (more obvious tv) as it currently looks too much like a computer.
They liked how I had used large numbers painted on the walls to represent blocks and the 'Gym' with arrows, as it makes it clear and visible while effectively communicating its location. I need to consider materials more within my design.
Overall my feedback was generally positive which leads me to believe it is going in the right direction. However I am concerned with when getting feedback from peers that they don't put too much constructive criticism as they do not want to offend me. Although I found this crit group to be really helpful as they gave me some good ideas and helped me gain more confidence within my designs.

OUGD405 Studio Brief 01 - Design Process - Way Finding

For this brief we have to visually communicate and develop a way finding / navigational system for our chosen environment. I have chosen to do iQ Leeds Student Accommodation.

I need to consider legibility and the user experience. I should develop a system, which effectively guides and aids a user through the environment.

The philosophy underpinning any way finding, navigational signage system is that of clarity,consistency, and coherence in order to guide the user through an environment in a consistent, convenient and safe manner. Wayfinding can be portrayed using a range of media including signs, printed materials, public announcements and staff/customer interface; as well as through the physical design of the environment and the materials, finishes, lighting and public art within them.

Inspiring projects:
Pentagrams way finding for London College of Communication (LCC):

"Once we understood that the college needed something very simple and functional it was clear to us what we needed to do,” Domenic Lippa.

'The signage can be fixed onto any wall type without the need for a massive redecoration programme. It uses a consistent background plate, made from perforated powder-coated aluminium, which helps visitors identify signage. These become a platform for room types and directional signs to be screwed on top of. Colour coding has also been introduced to signify the college’s four main areas. Small naming alterations have been introduced to further simplify the system. Helvetica has been used to create a consistency between the College and UAL’s overall identity.' (Taken from Pentagrams website)

I think that this way finding system is simple and sleek which helps give it a professional feel. The clean design is straight to the point making it clear and understandable for a wide audience. Colour coding sections helps the viewer to identify areas more accurately and efficiently. The use of helvetica was a good design decision to help keep cohesion with the college's overall established identity. What I also like about this design is the signs are interchangeable so don't require much redecoration.

Experience Music Project (EMP) Museum designed by Studio Matthews:

This museum is a major attraction in Seattle and is quite a confusing building. Studio Matthews have created a way finding system that is clear and bold using a minimalistic design approach. The scaling of letterforms/numbers creates visual points of interest that catch the viewers attention. The system is simple and effective fitting cohesively with it's surroundings and making way finding a lot easier. Colour coded system on the map help to identify areas/levels again making it easier to get around.

Within both of these designs it is clear to keep it simple and work cohesively with something already within the building such as the architecture or the logo etc. Regarding colour only use a few as to not overcomplicate. Use it sparingly and when necessary.

Investigation:
Collage of collected internet images:
Green and purple theme on signs and within communal spaces.

Current way finding and my own images:

This is all the way finding system the accommodation has, and for guests and new students it isn't very helpful. They only really have signs outside of the buildings which you have to go and find yourself. Hopefully I can work out a new system that helps find your way around.

Positioning signs:

I know that signs need to be positioned where people will need them most such as the 3 entrance/exits at iQ. These points are where the information on the sign will influence directional choice. Signs need to be placed at and appropriate height that is legible and clear. Signs with lot's of information on them need to be placed in appropriate places so the it doesn't block corridors and walkways. Wherever possible the signs should have a common baseline height to keep a consistent feel in design. However, the fixing height could change dependent on the architecture of the building.

Images where way finding could possibly go:

These images will be used to show my final outcomes.

Colour Scheme:

                   030303                                      802a72                                     598540  

These are the current colours that iQ use within their logo and on their signs, therefore I think they need to remain the same as this is the brands identity, so no new colours should be introduced. This will help introduce a way finding system that is cohesive with the buildings identity.

Typography:

Using 'what the font' I was able to identify what typography they used for their signs and logo. They use Serifa BT Bold, this typeface has bracketed serifs which give a sharp bold look. Because of it's sturdy features it is not too difficult to read from a distance, however sans-serif is traditionally easier to read at different scales so I need to make a decision on whether to keep this typeface or try a sans-serif design. If I stick with this typeface it might be a more cohesive design and would be easily integrated as a new way finding system for the accommodation.

I found a sans-serif typeface which is similar to Serifa BT Bold so that I can test out which would be more appropriate to improve readability but I also need to consider brand appropriateness, aesthetics and taste.

I used Prima Sans BT Bold as the sans serif typeface.

I tested both out at different scales, Prima Sans BT Bold (top) & Serifa BT Bold (bottom):

This is quite a hard decision to make because I am unsure whether to just stick with the current typeface used as it will produce a more cohesive design which fits in with it's surroundings. However, the sans-serif type is bolder and is larger in scale making it stand out from further away. I am leaning more towards the sans-serif just because I think it works better readability wise at different scales, I will have to apply both typeface to some design ideas so I can make a more informed decision.

Sketches:

Arrows - I decided to sketch out different arrow styles that I think would work well within the design. Within the logo it uses circles so I decided to incorporate that into one of the arrows, being the dotted one.

Sign Shape - I began looking at sign shape, I thought that the circle again would be reflective of the logo but when it has text on it it will waste a lot of space and would be awkward to place. I think a sign with curved edges might be a better option as it is softer and would provide a contrast to the sharpness of the type.

Numbers - After looking at what Studio Matthews had done by using a large scale number to create a interesting focal point, I thought that would be an interesting concept for the block numbers at iQ.

Pictogram - I think that placing pictogram signs outside of the building to indicate what is inside would make it clearer for people to understand and it will be easier to find.

Digital interpretations:

Arrows - I decided to correspond the arrow colours with what iQ already use, which is purple and green. Purple corresponds to the blocks and green corresponds to the amenities of the building.

Sign shape - From my sketches I decided to do squares with rounded corners for the pictograms and rectangles with rounded corners for the information boards. Block numbers are consistently kept at the top of the sign in numerical order. Arrows change direction dependent on where the signs are placed. When in a block it is highlighted in white on the information signs.

Numbers - I used Prima Sans BT Bold as the typeface for the block numbers. As I sketched out, I wanted them to be a focus point next to the information sign creating a point of interest. The walls in iQ are a cream colour and I want the numbers to be a bright white so that it will contrast with the black of the sign. The numbers will either be painted on or made out of a sticky plastic vinyl that can be applied to the wall.

Pictogram - I started to work on the pictogram's keeping them green as that is the colour for amenities and the arrows pointing to them. I am still unsure what colour background to have them on but I found that white works well as a strong contrast and you are able to see them from a distance.

Visualisation:

I decided to put all the ideas that I have got into the environment so that I could tweak and edit things, seeing where the problems lie. I think this will also help when showing my ideas to others to receive more informed feedback as it has a more visual appeal. I placed the signs and texts into the photographs I had taken of the environment, however they aren't the best as my photoshop skills are very basic, but it shows the idea.

OUGD404 Study Task 08 - Typesetting

For this task I need to re-typeset Lewis Carroll's 'A Mouses Tale' using a postmodern and modernist approach.

Modernist typesetting styles usually contain:

• Grids, margins & Columns for structure and organisation
• Standardised Typefaces
• Type Alignment 
• Type Size & Relationship - size of type in relation to the width of the column.
• Orphans, Widows & Rivers are controlled.

The modernist approach is usually very structured and helps to organise content, providing consistency and an orderly look.

Postmodern typesetting styles usually contain:

• Breaking the rules - ignoring those set by the modernist approach.
• Expressionism
• Concrete Poetry

Postmodern typesetting focuses more on communication "Don't confuse legibility with communication. Just because something is legible doesn't mean it communicates and, more importantly, doesn't mean it communicates the right thing." David Carson 2007.

This style gives the words it own personality by the different uses of colour, layout, style and size. They help to visually create an image before even reading the actual words. It can support and communicate a message more clearly.

Concrete poetry, pattern poetry or shape poetry is where the typographical arrangement is important at conveying an intended effect as the conversational elements as the poem, such as the meaning of the words, rhythm, rhyme and so on.

Modern:
For the modern approach I kept the text flushed left as it is quicker and easier to read as we read from left to right. I controlled the overall shape of the text by shifting the text from line to line to obtain a better profile. Because of this I was able to reduce the number of orphans, widows and rivers. I found this approach generally easy but will have to remember to try and control shape to keep the orderly look.

Postmodern:

For this approach I used different typesetting scattered through a flushed left paragraph. I elongated the word 'long' by spacing out each letter and having them slope downwards to clearly express the word. For the word 'turning' I aligned the text so that it went right and down and then right at a right angle to again express the word. I decided to slope the word "sad" downwards to heavily reflect the slumped feeling. When the mouse tells the tale I aligned the text at an angle as if the words are in a floating speech bubble to add to the story element. The last sentence I aligned to the right to stand on its own to create impact on meaning on the last lines. This was easy to typeset as I was free to do whatever I wanted with the type, I could be as experimental as I wanted.

OUGD405 Study Task 03 - Public Information Video/Research

Within this task we had a list of public information videos and we had to choose one and analyse it.

Identifying and analysing the following aspects:

• Message
• Key Facts
• Tone of Voice
• Audience

After watching a few of the videos that were listed I decided to analyse the 1973 video titled 'Charley says don't talk to strangers'.

The message with in this video is very clear and easy to understand, don't go off with people you don't know. It highlights to children that if they follow this rule then they are being good and they will be rewarded. The video is targeted and addresses young children in a light/comic tone with a stark, serious message. The cartoon style will appeal to a young audience so that they engage with it more. The use of the cat character 'Charley' is a friendly and trustworthy figure which children are more likely to connect with. It has a very simple story line and it is explained in a way that children will understand and it won't scare them too much.

I decided to take my research further and found that 'Charley says' was a series of very short cut-out animated public information films for children, produced by the British government's Central Office of Information and broadcast in the United Kingdom in the 1970s and 1980s.The films were produced by Richard Taylor Cartoons.

The topics would be everyday issues children faced and how to deal with them. They featured the little boy called Tony and his cat, named Charley, who would "miaow" the lesson of the episode, which the boy would then translate and explain. Often Charley served as the boy's conscience. When Charley and the boy did the right thing, they were rewarded with something for the boy and a fish for Charley, which he ate rapidly. However, on other occasions, Charley suffered the consequences of doing the wrong thing (e.g., in Charley's Tea Party he pulled a tablecloth and a teapot fell on him and scalded him).

In 2014, Electrical Safety First (formerly known as the Electrical Safety Council) launched a brand new Charley Says film featuring the voice of award winning comedian and actor David Walliams. This was created to promote staying electrically safe in the home and not overloading power sockets. A second film was also created, on the subject of the dangers of buying counterfeit electrical goods.

Public Information Videos:

• A series of government commissioned short films, shown during ad breaks.
• Advising the public on a number of topics but focusing mainly on safety.
• Many aimed at children - they were quite scary and many adults still remember them from their childhood.
• The earliest were made during the second world war.
• Supplied to broadcasters free of charge and were often used to fill gaps between fixed-duration commercial breaks.

OUGD404 Study Task 07 - Folds

Today we looked at the different ways in which we could fold paper and this will help inform us on studio brief 1.
I looked through the book 'How to Fold' - The Pepin Press - Agile Rabbit Edition.
It had lot's of different techniques and examples which were really interesting on how it could produce a different design. We then had to chose a design and create some sort of guide to show how it would be folded.

I chose this design:

This is a similar design where I created a visual, how to guide:

OUGD405 Study Task 02 - Symbols

'A pictogram is a stylised and schematic graphic representation which expresses a message, an activity, an action or a service. Pictograms do not belong to a particular language or form of writing, and therefore function as a universal language.'

Today our task is to create a pictogram of an olympic sport using Otl Aicher's 45 degree pictogram grid.

Using only shape and colour, I also need to consider:

• Audience
• Scale
• Contrast
• Impact
• Clarity

To begin my research I looked at the pictograms of the olympic summer games from Tokyo 1964 to Rio 2016.

Mexico City 1968

Designers: Urban Design Department of the Organising Committee of the Games of

the XIX Olympiad, including Lance Wyman.

Within this design it only uses part of the athlete's body or the equipment used which makes it really distinct and visually interesting. This helps to make the sport non gender specific and really highlights the sport it is portraying. The reference to Mexican culture and history helps contextualise and make it more appropriate for where it is being used while still being a universal design. Considering this was for the 1968 games it uses a very modern approach of simplistic shapes and bright colours that evoke joy and excitement. This is also the only olympic pictogram design which does not include whole figures, yet the sports are still reasonably clear.

Looking at the rest of the designs it ranges from more detailed symbols of figures to a more abstract design working with line and stroke.

Tokyo 1964

Munich 1972

Montreal 1976

Moscow 1980

Los Angeles 1984

Seoul 1988

Barcelona 1992

Atlanta 1996

Sydney 2000

Athens 2004

Beijing 2008

London 2012

Rio 2016

For this task I have chosen to portray the sport sailing which has been part of the Olymipics since 1988. I personally really enjoy sailing and have taken part in it a few times so because it is a sport I enjoy I thought it appropriate to design a pictogram for it.

Otl Aicher created pictograms for the 1972 olympic games in Munich. He revolutionised visual communication by creating the 45 degree grid. This helps to keep consistency and clarity, they facilitate international understanding.

I began by looking at some sailing pictures online and doing some quick rough sketches from these:

I then moved on to applying the grid and working with different designs to see which produced the most clear and understandable symbol:

I noticed that having a figure helped to imply action which gave greater clarity to what is happening in the image. I found using the grid to be quite annoying as I wanted to move beyond its restrictions, however I do see the benefit of when designing a set they all adhere to the same sort of design.

This is the design that I have come up with for sailing using Otl Aicher's grid:

Within this design it show's clarity, as it very obvious what it is, this is very important when trying to engage with an international audience. Due to its simplistic lines this pictogram would work well at different scales and would still be recognisable. The block shape of the figure contrasting with the outline of the boat creates this sense of power in the figure, the one performing the sport.