In this month’s newsletter, we explored the evolving landscape of wayfinding and the way we consider how and when to integrate new technologies with evergreen tools. Read the full article below and explore this month’s interesting articles and events here.
THE EVOLVING LANDSCAPE OF WAYFINDING
The onset of the pandemic in 2020 brought major change to the fabric of our lives: devastating loss on an individual and societal scale, the physical and mental challenges of lock-down and social distancing, the hope and promise of vaccines and treatments, and the rapidly expanding opportunities of remote technology. The landscape of wayfinding has not escaped this sweeping revolution – from analog solutions such as floor stickers placed six feet apart, to the increased use of digital apps and QR codes, wayfinding has played a critical role in helping people navigate a world reshaped.
While there have been huge strides in digital wayfinding technology applications, they are just one tool in a comprehensive wayfinding strategy. People perceive information differently – some can orient themselves using graphic cues, while others may have an aptitude for language. Static signage will always have its place in the built environment as it continues to be more cost-effective and requires less maintenance than its digital counterpart. Additionally, while apps can be extremely useful, an estimated 50 million Americans still do not own a smartphone and certain populations are more affected than others. For example, 39% of people over 65 and 24% of people who make less than $30,000/year still do not own a smartphone. Successful wayfinding is inclusive wayfinding – we always want to serve the greatest number of people with ease. This means evaluating each project individually to determine what combination of wayfinding tools is the most appropriate.
STATIC SIGNAGE
Static signage isn’t just a placard with an arrow pointing you to a destination – it encompasses all fixed wayfinding including maps, environmental graphics, and braille signage. The design of static signage continues to evolve as we understand and incorporate the way people internalize information. For example, maps can include distance rings that describe the number of minutes it takes to walk to a location, rather than the actual distance itself. Environmental graphics can serve the dual function of directing people to a location, as well as establishing a sense of place. In this way, static signage grounds the user in the physical world around them, actively engaging them in their environment.
DYNAMIC SIGNAGE
Dynamic signage is a more appropriate wayfinding tool for content that needs to be updated on a frequent basis. For example, dynamic signage is a good fit for train and bus departure times, or daily events and programming. We can see extensive use of digital signage in the London transport system, some with interactive touch-screen capability. In the recently renovated London Bridge Station, digital signs display live train arrival and departure information; at Canary Wharf you can use an interactive map to visualize your journey.
WAYFINDING APPS
The prevalence of smartphones has created an opportunity for individualized wayfinding, improving access for those whose needs are not met by the on-location visual systems. Since wayfinding begins before someone arrives at a location, this is especially helpful for people to plan their routes in advance, giving them a greater sense of security and confidence they can reach their destination with ease. Those with low vision have traditionally had to rely on physical cues like braille signage or “tactile paving” for navigation, but these elements can now be supplemented with wayfinding apps such as Wayfndr or Navilens. These apps provide audio guidance to their users, allowing them to independently navigate indoor locations such as train stations with ease. Applications like this were not possible before the advent of smartphones with video calling capability and QR code technology, and their usefulness will only increase as these tech advances become even more widespread.
Working across a variety of sectors including Transportation, Campuses, and Cities, we can help you determine which strategy is best for your location and visitors. Drop us a line at hello@viacollective.com to connect with us and discuss your project.