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):
'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:
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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.
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