In terms of way finding there are many ways
of applying a design to the location. There are many ways of creatively
applying design that makes a way finding system more understandable and more of
an enjoyable system to navigate. If a navigation system is instantly clear and
recognisable without confusion it is successful.
Ben Kelly, an interior designer, designed
the way finding system for the Whitworth Gallery in Manchester. Kelly focused
on the variety of architectural elements to create an identity out of the
Gallery’s context. Designs that have decisions made based on the context of the
establishment are often the best designs.
Kelly’s design is clean and suited to the
Art Gallery. It includes a number of materials that suit the physical building.
Which makes it applicable to every building despite the architectural design.
It is easy to read and easy to identify with which makes the design functional
as well as attractive.
After looking into more visual research I
came across other design styles that exploited the application of way finding
systems and used many different materials. When thinking about what materials
and application styles, you must consider the location you are creating the way
finding system for. Because I am designing a way finding system for Trinity, a
busy shopping centre, it must be quick to navigate and always clear and
readable, especially in busy areas of the store.
When looking into identifying different
floors from each other many places use colour, but this can be taken to new
levels. The entire design can be based around colour. Here’s some examples of
how colour can be used to easily determine which floor you are on.
Many designs look into the application of
the way finding system and many designers use the walls and apply the design
flush against it. This can be seen in IKEA and many other establishments.
Depending on the surface of the wall many
varieties of design can be applied. You can even project designs onto a wall.
This is a great idea as the design can be easily visible at night and cannot be
vandalized. However depending on the light levels it could be difficult to see
during the day.
There is a use of pillars in the Trinity
shopping centre which is where I first thought I could apply a design onto
before I realised this could be difficult to read if any directions where
wrapped around the pillar. However there are examples of how this way of
applying a way finding system to pillars of a building.
You could apply a way finding system to the
floor, which has been done many times. It could also be applied to an
escalator. However due to how busy the Trinity shopping centre gets I think this
design choice would not work as it wouldn’t always be clear to read.
Applying a design to the ceiling would work
best, as it will always be visible even when the shopping centre is at its
busiest.
Depending on the durability of different
materials and the location it is in depends on which would work best. The material
will also change the aesthetics of the design as well as the readability. Aluminum
is aesthetically pleasing and interesting designs can be applied to it. An
interesting design can prevent a clinical feel to a way finding system and make
the experience more enjoyable.
Of these design choices I'm going to experiment with the idea of
projecting a design using light. It’s an innovative way of creating signage
that can’t be vandalized. It will allow the signage to be easily modified if
need be.
Using the ceiling will be the most coherent
way of applying a design, but I will use the walls where I can. The
shopping centre is well known for its huge sweeping glass roof which is a shape
I will include into my design as well as using the colour code system to
show what floor a shopper is on. I can experiment with many shapes made from glass and many colours to create a consistent design.
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