Project Summary

The purpose of our project was to provide innovative wayfinding designs to an area lacking proper signage in order to enhance the environment and increase ease of access. Unfortunately, the campus of KU is full of navigational shortcommings and consequently was the perfect focus for this project. In order to create the most useful wayfinding system we could our group’s first focus was upon the importance or necessity of the area. After sifting through preliminary ideas on location, we decided the stacks at Watkins library were ideal for improvement because of their confusing layout and frequency of use by students and faculty of KU.
Following this step, we found it necessary to collect on sight information by going to Watkins to ask the librarians questions about the area as well as take photographs. After visiting the environment we were able to dictate the most direct path to the stacks, visualize preliminary signage, as well as collect floor plans and layouts, making the developement process much easier.
Next, we set forth with drafting and discussing potential wayfinding possibilities. With the environmental context of the library in mind we wanted to create signage that reflected its environment while still fulfilling its purpose as a sign. Accordingly, we thought it would be creative and contextually appropriate to incorporate a simple “falling books” design to use in place of arrows as directional information. Along with the books we also wanted to incorporate a human-like icon to stimulate user relatability.
Once the preliminary system was complete, we needed to collect  secondary on-sight information to test ideal coloring, positioning, and size. By conducting this session of signage testing, we were able to find the areas which needed improvement. To increase the signs visibility and attention-grabbing factors, we changed the color, complexity, and applied a bold black outline to all signage. In applying a light blue hue, similar to the one used in this process book, rather than the original purple, the visibility of the system increased considerably. Similar to the change in hue, by applying the bold outline to our designs they took on a certain characteristic which made them stand out from the wall while not being altogether distracting.
After completeing the final step of development, it was time to test the wayfinding system. We began the testing by randomly asking people to participate in a small wayfinding exercise. In the end, we were able to find five test subjects. Of the five, only two were able to fully comprehend the signage and find their way to the destination. Those who did not make it to the destination attributed it to improper sign placement of our last two nodes.