Wayfinding Project Summary

Overall I am fairly happy with how our project turned out. The design has definitely come a long way from when it took its first steps in gaudy Jayhawk colors and flamboyant signs hanging everywhere. I was very proud of the work I did on the signage and the time spent in Photoshop agonizing over every little line placement. Additionally, as we based our strategic sign hanging on Jiani's list of user needs, I feel like we optimized the space in a way that didn't overwhelm but also got the job done. All in all, our design came out looking minimal, sleek and efficient.
That having been said, I definitely wish there were some things we could have done differently, mostly towards the final steps of the project. The way I viewed the signs being hung was very different than how they came out. We had issues meeting up because of lack of time, the snow, poor communication, and so on. Because of this, the execution of our plan did not come out the way I wish it could have which is a little disappointing. We also had completely unrelated trouble with the blotter and would have needed to figure out in the future how to get the signs to print un-pixilated.
I was a tad disappointed by the final product by I hope that as we present, our overarching idea will come through. I think that what we had with Solution B (having changed the color and tightened up the font and directory) was very clean and could well have worked if placed in the real environment properly.

Wayfinding Project: Plan B

After some very helpful commentary from our class, we decided to take the project in a much more subtle direction. Jaini suggested moving the reformed directory to the center of the lobby in order to draw people in to the building. We placed the new directory on an easel at eye level.

From there we will draw the viewers' eyes to the stair cases with vertical signs jutting out from the walls indicating the stairwells. The color chosen for the signs now is working to complement the colors in the rest of Strong Hall, and keep the refined nature of the building.

Signs in the corners of the stairwells will indicate which floor the viewer is moving to.

There will be a another vertical sign at the bottom of the stairs (not pictured) which indicated room numbers. From here the viewer can find their way left and down the hall to a large sign marking the room, "23 Bursar."

Wayfinding Project: Plan A

Our first plan is to place large eye catching signs in the expansive lobby of Strong Hall. These signs are meant to narrow the space and organize it so that new families can make sense of the building they are in. Jayhawk colors are used to indicate to new families and students that they can find offices here that they may need during orientation. The sign on the left indicated which rooms can be found on which floor and the sign in the center says "Bursar" and will lead the viewer to the left staircase towards the office.

We plan to use painters tape in two lines (again, Jayhawk colors), extending from the sign down the hall and stairs, to lead the viewer in the right direction. Tape will be above eye level and bright enough to draw attention.

A sign at the bottom of the stairs will direct the viewer to the left and towards the office.

The tape will end at the Bursars office, encircling the door frame.

Wayfinding Project: Strong Hall

 Strong Hall is an expansive building with little to no way finding direction for guests and students. And yet it is a building with many important offices that needs to be navigated regularly by a great number of people.

The directory are places out of the way and are hard to read and cluttered.

We chose to help the user navigate their way to the Bursars office for a number of reasons. First, it is located in the basement, and apart from the ill-placed directory, there is no other way of locating it. Second, the Bursar is a very important office on campus that is used regularly not only by students but by new students and their families who are new to campus and do not know their way around.

The Bursars office can finally be found downstairs in the basement of Strong Hall, indicated by a small,  hard to read sign.

What Makes a Good Wayfinding System?

1. Immediate sense of destination.

2. Easy to navigate.

3. Consistent design.

4. Clear organization.

5. Visual clues for landmarks.

6. Functional and accessible.

7. Simple.

8. Use of map or directory.

Elements of the Environment to Consider When Beginning Wayfinding

+Paths and Environment
+Circulation
   -Develop a focal point
   -Materiality and color can differentiate, look at color and rhythm.
+Markers
   -Large structures such as banners, entrances, etc.
   -Important focal points or intersections.
+Nodes
   -These can act like connecting the dots.
+Edges
   -Define a path, where things stop and start.
   -Can also be affected by color and texture.
+Zones and Districts
   -Have a unique and memorable context.