Ideas Generation

These are the sketches I have done from loosen ideas I have been writing down as notes.

I think the use of lights is important, as Ikea wayfinding system, but I think it is not very functional unless departments change all the time, which is something is not going to happen. But if it does, it would be something to consider, as it is not only flexible and cheap, but it also allows to use colours and multiple shapes.

I also noticed while identifying wayfinding systems in LCA that Graphic Design is the only department with a coloured light (and the offices below). I think that instead of using it as a decorative element it could have wayfinding purposes.

The colours assigned in the sketches are just examples.

I also considered using the student advice signage and take it to the next level using colours to indicate more things in the building. But it would be confusing as there would be loads of text and colours on the walls, which can be a quite stressing experience as well. Colours and shapes are much easier to identify and relate. During the photoshop workshops, a image caught my attention: a wayfinding system done by lines.

After the Peter & Paul talk and how the mosaic theme was explained these two ideas started to mix in my head.

By using a repetitive pattern to make it as long as it needs to be and using the colour of the assigned department it could be used throughout the building and it would be not only very easy to identify, but also within the theme of the building. It would be placed on the eye level (1.60 - 1.80 m from the floor). The colour of these mosaics would match with the light in the destination.

There is a potential problem that has a solution: if the line of mosaics is on the left wall and there is a corridor to the right it can go from one wall to another by crossing it through the ceiling. In this way the wayfinding system would be involving and it would have a much less appearance proper of a corporation. Students of art want to have an exciting experience during their studies and want to have a different life from what is sadly considered "normal lives". Ergo normal and regular wayfinding systems are out of question.

I also made sketches for the symbols to be used in the signage next to the text that relates to the mosaics for even an easier identification and without the need of reading everything. The text should have a secondary function to support the understanding of imagery. I used the grid supplied in Study Task 2 to design these pictograms.

A way to inform the audience how to quickly know what they can find where they are can be made using the principle of this example. This image can be particularly helpful and using the mosaic theme, this information can be put on the floor of each level of the building, in the stairs. It should be easy to spot as it is visible when coming from either downstairs or upstairs. A big number on a wall next to this signage will be displayed so the user doesn't need to look to the floor every time to find out where he is, but a big number that is part of the surroundings itself will let him know straight away even by not looking at it.

A colour should be saved for this signage from the college colour palette (found in the Brand Guidance PDF that I cannot post here) for this particular signage. Probably the most adequate for its contrast is the pink, which is also used in the website. It could be a way to standardise the colour for the college rather than using it for a particular department.

The mosaics will be used only to help finding certain departments. Although, it won't be used for every part of the building. For instance, the lecture theatre, needs a symbol and a colour assigned. This system of arrows can be used, but it needs to be consistent with the rest of the design and using colours or shapes that don't interfere with the rest of the wayfinding system.

After experimenting with arrows with mosaic shapes I concluded it could be confusing and hard to identify arrows like that among so many mosaics. Then looking through many different kinds of arrows a minimalist design should simplify the message. I also tried with simple lines and arrows, but it can still be confusing. Using big arrows on the wall and with long separation between them should make the experience of finding these places easier and they will not be confused with departments, as the wayfinding system is radically different, but consistent. The big arrows can be displayed not only on the walls, but on the floors as well as long as there is no rug.