These words might make sense in philosophy, but when lost in a building, the same scenario is infuriating. In most cases, the user will prefer a clear and convenient path from one point to another. Wayfinding becomes a necessary part of the design here.
“Curiosity keeps leading us down new paths” - Walt Disney.
Wayfinding is ascertaining one’s location and choosing a path to follow. It must be an intuitive process and should help a user navigate independently. It makes the circulation flow smoothly and reduces stress and confusion in the users.
The components of wayfinding are:
The point of reference
Location of information
Determining a path to take
Maintaining that path
Access or denial of the path chosen
Some steps to facilitate way-finding are:
Identifying and marking spaces
Based on target users and the purpose of the place
Grouping spaces
Based on shared functions or users
Linking and organizing spaces
Creating circulation paths factoring hierarchy
Communicating the information
Using visual and graphic mediums
Some wayfinding cues to communicate information are:
Visual Identity
Nodes and Landmarks
Visibility and sightlines
Sensory inputs
Signages
1. Visual Identity
The appearance of a building and the different zones within it can help a user navigate through it.
The form of the building can make it more or less visible from the path of circulation. Prominent entries coupled with direct access easily lead people to the buildings.
Variations in lighting, color, and textures can alter the appearance of each zone within a building.
Shared features between zones can help users identify which spaces have similar functions.
This bookstore in China uses five different colors to denote the zones. For example, pink and purple are for exhibition areas, red for theatre, neutral tones for meeting rooms, and blue for cultural and creative zones.
2. Landmarks
They are used as markers to help identify significant areas or junctions.
A landmark should stand out, be memorable, and help the users relate it to the position and help backtrack their way.
Landmarks are strong visual markers and come in handy in places frequented by children, the specially-abled, and those unfamiliar with the local language.
This abandoned sand quarry in Segrate is being reimagined as a central park. Small buildings of a spa, a restaurant, and a boat rental act as nodes on the branching wooden walkway.
3. Visibility and Sightlines
Corridors and ceilings can be designed as sightlines, guiding the users
Decorative elements along the floor, ceilings, and walls in indoor spaces, landscaping, or streetscape in outdoor spaces can denote a path.
The view of the next zone helps the users ascertain the distance between places, encourages them to move forward, and aids in creating a mental map of the building.
Creating transparency using light materials like glass seamlessly blends two places, creating a flow.
The eye-catching ceiling of this restaurant in New York is made of Sapele wood ribbons integrated with LED. The light strips visible from the street draw people in and direct them inside, where the ribbons converge to form chandelier-like nodes over gathering areas.
4. Sensory Inputs
Spatial thinking goes beyond visual perception.
Cognitive mapping utilizes sensory inputs like smell or haptics, movement, and prior knowledge.
Sensory cues are useful when curating wayfinding for those with visual impairment.
A classroom was designed for visually impaired children and used multiple sensory cues to promote wayfinding. These include floor plates embedded with braille, educational wall projections, different ceiling heights resulting in different acoustic effects, and cold air conditioning near walls.
5. Signages
In addition to visual indicators, graphic signage can convey specific details about a place.
They are the most commonly used wayfinding elements and help users decide which paths to follow.
Based on function, signages may be used for identification, direction, information, or regulation.
Signages may be incorporated with the design or made to stand out, as required.
Case Study - Signage Regulation
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs prescribes some regulations to promote universal accessibility in India
Location - Must be at the entrance, exits, main lobby, reception, toilets, fire exits, and other public facilities.
Wayfinding signage in the streets of Pune
Color- The colors of the figure and background must be contrasting. The signage must also contrast the surroundings.
Visual Contrast- Measured as the difference in Light Reflectance Value (LRV) between two surfaces. The optimum LRV lies between 30%-70%
Visual Contrast = [(B1-B2)/B1] x 100 %
B1 is the LRV of a lighter area, and B2 is the LRV of a darker area.
Typeface- Sans serif fonts such as Ariel, Helvetica medium, and Futura without formatting are recommended.
Style- Signages are more effective when a combination of the lower and upper case is used as it helps with word shape recognition. Variations of height and boldness can signify the importance of text.
Spacing- The spacing between lines should be 50% of the line height
Pictograms- A combination of letters and symbols helps those with intellectual disabilities or a language barrier
Location- Signs must be located where they are visible and should not lead to obstruction of the circulation space by the target users.
Viewing distance- External signages are usually considered long distance, medium range signages include direction and identification signs and close range signs include room numbers and directories
Lighting- The signage should be evenly lit, with uniform lighting ranging from 100 to 300 lux.
Material- non-reflective, matt finish materials should be used. They must also be easy to maintain. Suggested materials are wood, acrylic, Aluminum Composite Panels (ACP)
Using these cues and regulations, the users’ wayfinding experience can be enhanced and their circulation smoother.
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