2013_Do You Know Where You Are?

DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE A LOOK INTO WAYFINDING AND SIGNAGE

Gregory M. Turner 2013 MArch Candidate

Arch 811

Spring 2012 Kent Spreckelmeyer

THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK TO VIEW AS A TWO SHEET SPREAD

Special Thanks: Kent Spreckelmeyer

Becky Cannon

Richard Branham

Nick Jacobsen

Nils Gore

Preston Brown

Keith Diaz Moore

Rachel Margario

Charles Lynn

Josh Fredrick

Cynthia Muckey

Ian McLaughlin

Megan Carrithers

Elizabeth Boresow

Cynthia Marta

Lauren Wismer

George Li

Kadim Alasady

Jamie Lloyd Simpson

Monita Ireland

Dr. Dot Nary

Erin Howard

Ally Munk

7

Why Wayfinding and Signage

11

History of Wayfinding and Signage

25

University of Kansas Interior Signage Policy

35

A Look into Interior Signage

53

Case Studies

87

Precedent Studies

103

Signage Design

113

What are we Designing for?

117

Resources

TA CON

5

ABLE OF NTENTS

WAYF &S

7

WHY FINDING SIGNAGE

8 Why Wayfinding and Signage

Ever since becoming disabled and needing to use a wheelchair back in late 2010, I found myself having to use different entrances to buildings than I had to before. From that moment on I didn’t view things quite the same as I had before. I often find myself using a rear entrance or not using one at all because the space is not accessible. Unfortunately the one thing I found more disturbing than anything was the misinterpretation of signage within a building, more so with restroom accessibility or door widths being too narrow. The times we live in now you would think things of such nature would be unacceptable, but it is not, even for an environment as widely used as a campus and the buildings which stand on it.

So when I returned to the University of Kansas last year to finish my architectural studies, I found that things were not as easy as I thought they might be. While the staff, in particular Nils Gore made every accommodation work for me, there were so many other issues that I knew he could not tackle, or make feasible for someone in my situation. He switched my studio space to make life a bit easier, made sure I had a desk that met my needs, and even made sure I could readily access the printers from anywhere I wanted, but when it came to things like restroom accessibility, parking accessibility, or even something as simple as entering the front entrance of a building, these were things out of his control. I completely understood this and probably why I never brought it up until now. The average person may not think about some of the issues I have brought forth, in particular the front entry where someone like me who no longer has that option will think about it. Regardless if some people realize it or not, any individual whether they disabled or not wants to be treated like everyone else. For this I am grateful for the faculty and staff up to this point with how they have accommodated my needs, and made sure I was comfortable with how things were going.

I couldn’t quite understand how a public environment could be so confusing to many individuals. The one thing that is out of the hands of people like Nils, signage or lack thereof is a crucial element in environmental design.

If we were to enter most buildings on campus especially those deemed to be accessible; there is a lack of signage which translates to a lack of

9 Why Wayfinding and Signage

understanding or ignorance. This is unacceptable in modern times for an environment which is used by tens of thousands of people every day. So something as simple as a sign can make or break one’s perception of a space, and with the lack of signage or misleading signage posted across campus, people tend to become frustrated, anxious, and lost.

What most people don’t realize is that there are individuals in the world, many which are attending college on a daily basis that lives with some form of disability which contributes to them losing their way forcing them to either have to plan multiple steps ahead or causing them to run behind. Not everyone can remember the steps they took the previous time and it is at no fault of their own. This is where signage can take a huge burden off of one’s shoulders, in helping navigate the user in an efficient manner.

Some may ask, why post these unattractive and waste of space signs, well it’s because some people truly do need them. A sign can make a person’s day just by making it slightly easier to navigate an environment. This is why I chose wayfinding and signage, because it makes a difference.

“The verb ‘orient’ or ‘orientate’ is derived, via Old French, from the Latin oriri, ‘to rise’, referring to the sun rising in the east. The French verb orienter originally meant to position towards the east, but the

HIST WAYF &S

meaning gradually expanded to embrace all directions. Nowadays, when we orientate ourselves, we try to find out either where we are, or where we need to go.”

- Otl Aicher

11

TORY OF FINDING SIGNAGE

12 History of Wayfinding and Signage

Signage and wayfinding is nothing new. Over the past several thousand years we have found it safer and more productive if we had signs posted to help navigate us through any environment. The use of landmarks has been used as a process in the evolution of wayfinding. When we travel through an environment of any kind, we tend to use key photographic memory queues to help distinguish our surroundings.

With our expanding culture, we started to form cities, towns, developments, and communities, which resulted in an expansion of humans understanding of environment. With this said, our history has shown that we have developed patterns to help navigate people through an environment in more efficient ways. “As more people became literate, signs written in a verbal language became increasingly important to society. This really became important when mankind entered the mass transportation age. The ability to move people in mass created numerous problems not just in streets and byways, but in buildings and structures where people visited and conducted business.”1 As a culture we had to start calling on professionals to plan our systems with the increasing size of our cities, towns, and even buildings.

It’s time for a change Our culture started to demand more of us. They wanted the visual clues to be more aesthetically pleasing, while demanding that the process was led in a forward direction. “The Bauhaus movement not only effected design, but also sought to change the way designers were educated. Typography, color and layout were integrated completely into the curriculum, as well as navigation through complex structures.”1 Around the 1980’s, all of this changed with the introduction of Environmental Graphic Design (EGD). The signage and wayfinding was no longer a piece of the architectural profession, but a piece of the design world. It became a specialized field of study with environmental graphics leaping outside the realm of the architectural profession, and caused a break of professions within the educational sense. Now wayfinding and signage would be considered a part of the schools of design rather than architecture.

These new designers began to study the work of Kevin Lynch and more

13 History of Wayfinding and Signage

importantly his book titled “Image of the City” (1960), which became a quick iconic piece of how we understand the built environment. Lynch coined the term “wayfinding” in his book to further describe his five essential elements of environmental understanding; paths, nodes, landmarks, edges, and districts.

Kevin Lynch’s 5 Elements Paths/Circulation The circulation system is the key organizing element of a site or building.

People use circulation systems to develop a mental map.

Guidelines: • Develop a focal point and a system of circulation paths to help people understand where they are in the system.

• Use circulation systems that lead people from node to node.

• Clearly distinguish places where the public is welcome and where access is restricted.

• Communicate the circulation system to the users when they enter. In particular, vertical circulation devices such as stairs and elevators should be intuitive and perceptible.

• In multi-story buildings, organize elements such as restrooms, elevators, and exits in the same location on each floor.

Nodes A node is a point at which subsidiary parts originate. People make decision points at nodes in paths. As a result, nodes should contain graphic and architectural information to assist with those decisions.

Guidelines: • Think of wayfinding as a “connect-the-dots” activity and use only the information that is necessary at each node.

• Consider easy-to-understand node systems such as grids to help people establish a mental map of the wayfinding system.

• Use maps and graphic information to communicate the form of circulation only at primary rather than secondary nodes.

• Whenever possible, use visual, tactile, and auditory indicators at major decision-making points.

14 History of Wayfinding and Signage

Edges Wayfinding edges determine where an area begins or ends.

Guidelines: • Design specific boundary areas, such as pathways and subway platform edges, for both visual and tactile detection.

• Introduce contrasting building floor textures and hardness to establish wayfinding edge conditions and to alert users to changes in height conditions.

• Mark the tops and bottoms of ramps and stairs to emphasize transition points.

Zones/Districts Wayfinding zones and districts are regions (either outside or within buildings) with a distinguishing character that assists in the general identification of place.

Guidelines: • Identify each zone to be unique and memorable in its context.

• If possible, reinforce the identifying characteristics of the zone with signage prior to arrival in the zone.

• Identify zones in buildings with a letter prefix such as “A” or with the cardinal points of the compass

15 History of Wayfinding and Signage

What is Wayfinding?

Wayfinding is the process of using spatial and environmental information to navigate ourselves through the built environment. It is also known as the key element between designer and client to improve the functionality of an environment: “Wayfinding design is the process of organizing spatial and environmental information to help users find their way.”2 At the start of the last century, cognitive and behavioral psychologists began to further develop the understanding process of wayfinding through research of memory, cognitive mapping, spatial recognition, and information processing. This has led to the advancement in the way wayfinding and signage through an environment is now designed, even in the architectural practice.

During the 1970’s, researchers developed a study to further understand how people navigate complex environments by running orientation tests through large buildings such as hospitals, malls, high-rises, and airports.

They found that “wayfinding” was influenced by many elements, like the buildings symmetry, user’s expectations, language, informative signage, surrounding people, and existing experiences in the environment.

A successful wayfinding design allows people to: determine their location, determine their where they need to go, and create a plan which helps navigate them from starting point to final destination and then back again.

Wayfinding design should include: identifying and labeling environments, (2) grouping similar environments, and (3) linking and organizing spaces through both architectural and graphic means.

16 History of Wayfinding and Signage

See No Evil There are over 40 million people in the world today that live with a significant sight loss, resulting in the most common cause of disability. This has a direct effect on the social development of individuals and the environments they occupy. “Through the use of improved wayfinding and signage, roughly 13 percent of disabled individuals would go out more, and live independently.”4 There are a number of different eye defects and diseases that could lead to a visual impairment, but very few blind people see nothing at all. Also very few can recognize light but absolutely nothing else, while many either live with no central vision or no peripheral vision. With this said, blind and partially sighted people are no different than someone with sight. They go to school, have careers, raise families, enjoy time with friends and family, and live in the same world as everyone else. They may just need a little assistance here and there.

Individuals with a visual impairment will also pay close attention to clues surrounding them. Some of these include: sound or texture change between floor surfaces, changes in types of floor construction, sound of noises surrounding them, and color contrast at the intersection walls and floors.

Types of visual impairment • Central field loss – can’t see the part of the visual field straight in front of them.

• Peripheral field loss – can see ahead but lose the periphery of the scene.

• Combined central and peripheral field loss – Loss of both straight ahead and peripheral vision • Reduced Contrast – the whole visual scene becomes washed out. Light sources give areas a disabling glare which ‘white-out’ the environment.

17 History of Wayfinding and Signage

How Does this Apply to Design With the found research we have found a few basic principles to follow to help create a better wayfinding system.

• Wayfinding throughout an environment is best achieved by functional architectural arrangement and design. The user’s ability to understand the arrangement of space is the most effective way to produce a good wayfinding system.

• The labeling, numbering and general layout of parts within a building is critical. Numbering levels, dedicatory names vs common names, departmental labeling, and room labeling should be thoughtfully designed when developing wayfinding systems.

• Users have many different abilities, limitations, and memories when it comes to navigating and environment, and these should all be considered throughout the wayfinding strategy.

• A clear and concise set of signs is the most efficient way of improving the wayfinding strategy in an environment.

What is a sign?

A sign is a way of conveying information about direction, location, and safety. Signage systems are one of the most effective tools for people who are unfamiliar with their surroundings. They individuals may feel anxious, confused, lost, or nervous, which all have an impact on a person’s ability to navigate an environment. A successful sign system will minimize anxiety and confusion, and is easy to understand, even for people with a visual impairment. Signs should be: clear, concise, consistent.

Four sign groups • Information signs – main signs for orientation • Directional signs – direct users to destinations using arrows and text • Identification signs – located at destination point to indicate a room, service, person, etc • Safety, fire safety and mandatory signs – warning or prohibition signs

18 History of Wayfinding and Signage

A good signage system will work in conjunction with the orientation clues provided. These include: approach, entrance/exit, main lobby or reception, communal facilities, departments/offices, fire exits, and parking/garages.

Positioning of signs • Easily detectable • Positioning in both plane and in elevation • Intersections, forks, and branches are key location points • Entrances/ reception • Lift/elevator lobbies Basic guidelines on sign location • Can the sign become an obstruction or be obstructed • Determine the distance the sign will be read from • Good lighting is a must • Room identifiers should be located at eye level, on the wall immediately adjacent to the latch side of the door.

Basic guidelines on sign contrast • Group information together • Avoid too many messages • Room identifiers should be simple and concise • Avoid abbreviations • Visually impaired people can recognize numbers more easily than names • Use visual, embossed and braille, and audible signage when possible Language, Wording, and Punctuation “Language is one of the most important factors in sign design; people need very clear, unambiguous messages in simple, understandable formats.”4 • Clarity – Understandable words • Consistency – Same Terminology among signs • Conciseness – Minimal information, don’t confuse the user • Capital Letters – Improved legibility will be achieved if the first word of each of the key words begin with a capital letter.

19 History of Wayfinding and Signage

Signage Types There are four categories of signs identified in today’s wayfinding systems.

(1) Identification, (2) Directional, (3) Informational, and (4) Safety and Security.

Signs within each of these categories can be include text, pictograms, maps, photographs, models, and diagrams. Users in an environment tend to observe, read, learn and comprehend the space and the wayfinding system implemented.

General Guidelines: • Consistent text and graphics amongst signage • Use upper and lower case letters • Group information as much as possible • If possible, use pictograms and text together • Use contrasting colors between text and background, with a 70% brightness differential • When applicable, use tactile and braille Identification Identifiers within a wayfinding system are signs which let you know that you have found your destination point. These may be the most important type of sign within the system, but would “clearly for this navigation process to be successful, other supporting wayfinding elements – such as directional and informational signage - must be in place.”5 Within this system the information can be permanent or changeable but in either case the information needs to be clear and concise.

Guidelines: • Use Intuitive and concise numbering systems so that all room numbers directly relate to the floor level you are on • Floor numbers should be detectable at every entrance • Room numbers are to be located on the latch side of the door within the compliance height, so they can be seen when the door is open • Public amenities should be identified with pictograms, text, and Braille

20 History of Wayfinding and Signage

Directional Directional signs help guide users through an environment to a final destination point. These signs include arrows, departmental names or room numbers, restrooms, elevators, and other commonly used spaces.

Guidelines: • Keep the font size consistent • Contrasting text and background colors • Consistent arrow styles • Use familiar pictograms that have become a standard (accessible, elevator, stair, restroom, etc.)

• Placement of signs is key. Transition areas such as intersections, forks, change in level • Use tactile and high contrast floor numbering • All routes should be accessible • Placement of signage should be visible from all directions Informational Informational signs help provide information concerning personnel, name of company or department, or even rooms. They also provide information regarding floor plans, picture display, directories, notifications, schedules, and hours of operation. Informational signs are always being changed, so the display options need to be thought about very carefully.

Guidelines: • Changeability is key • Use tactile and braille when possible • Placement of information is important but may fall secondary to other information on signs Safety and Security Public safety is the number one responsibility of any building system. Planning ahead of time for emergency situations can include procedural information.

One key element of communication is providing information that can give procedures during an emergency (i.e. fire evacuation routes, location of emergency equipment, etc.). Posting these procedures or information in key points within an environment can ensure the life or safety of the users.

21 History of Wayfinding and Signage

The types of signs that make up this category include; building evacuation plans, user collection areas, areas of refuge, emergency telephone, first aid kits, hand and eye washing stations, and even “slippery when wet” floor signs.

Guidelines: • Text and symbols should conform to local fire and building code regulations • Most signs should be permanent with the exception of some text • Use colors like red, white, and green to distinguish the sign from others • Signage should be tamper-proof • Signs need to be clear and concise with text and pictograms when possible • Signs should be accessible in time of emergency Orientation “Orientation devices such as maps, site plans, floor plans, and building/ floor directories are used to help people to develop a mental map of a large complex.”5 These signs are the first clue to navigating through a building.

They provide information that helps in the decision-making process of the environment from the moment you enter the space. They help people determine where they are located in the environment, where they need to go, and how they need to get there.

Guidelines: • Plans should be oriented so that the direction the user is facing is straight forward • Provide “you are here” symbols • Placement of landmarks are important placeholders • Corresponding text between directional and identification signs • All maps shall be accessible by all individuals • Provide tactile maps when possible • Directories should provide users with level and room numbers, listed alphabetically.

• Avoid all upper case text in directories • Provide a level map/directory on each level

22 History of Wayfinding and Signage

Rules and Regulations Since 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act has began to regulate the all kinds of things with respect to civil rights. Amongst the policies that have been put into place is the use of signage and the regulations it upholds.

Below is a brief summary provided by www.avalisway.com.

Permanent Signs: • Characters: • must be between 5/8” & 2” in height.

• are to be raised a minimum of 1/32” • Background & characters are to be matte or non-glare finish with substantial color contrast.

• Grade 2 Braille is required.

• Text is to be sans serif or simple serif type & upper case only.

• Pictograms, when used: • may or may not be raised.

• are to be alone within a 6” x 6” field.

• should be accompanied by a written description • Signs are to be mounted on the latch side of the door 60” from center line of sign to floor.

Directional or informational signs • Characters & background are to be matte or non glare finish with substantial contrast.

• Characters can be upper & lower case & should be sized for viewing distance (appx. 1” for every 50’ of distance).

• Raised copy nor Braille are required for these signs.

Overhead signage • Characters & background are to be matte or non glare finish with substantial contrast.

• Characters are to be a minimum of 3” in height.

• Must be a minimum of 80” clearance between the sign and the floor.

“Regarding wayfinding, it might be noted that after you get there, in an ideal world, there would be very little that needs to be told about where to go, because on arriving at an unfamiliar destination the

KU IN S

next directions would be self-evident. Within the best architecture, finding one’s way around should hopefully require a relatively minimal effort and, at least, little signage.”

- Ivan Chermayeff

25

NTERIOR SIGNAGE POLICY

26 KU Interior Signage Policy

DIRECTORIES AND BULLETIN BOARDS Building Directory: Provide in main entrance lobby(s). Limit text to public spaces and a general description of spaces on each floor. Individual blades for each line of text, or a traditional grooved background for press-in letters are both acceptable, but shall be enclosed and lockable to prevent theft or vandalism. An 8.5” x 11.5” slot for changeable paper inserts can be included for posting of computer-generated lists of faculty room assignments.

• Graphic Maps are generally discouraged, due to cost of updating them over time as space uses are reassigned & buildings are remodeled.

However, for buildings of unusual geometry or complexity, this is sometimes a better option than a list of rooms or directional signage. If used, a plexiglas-covered sign that accepts paper floor plan drawings, which can be easily printed by computer and replaced periodically, is preferred.

SIGNAGE General: Refer to Appendix A10.1 for standard examples and guidelines copied from the KU Graphics Manual. Designers shall review the complete KU Graphics Manual for additional information, not included herein, which may be applicable to their project. DCM’s Project Manager can arrange to make a copy of the Graphics Manual available for review.

Designers shall include scale drawings of each sign type to be provided for a project, and shall show mounting locations, noting all are to be field-verified with Owner prior to installation. The following signage shall be provided as part of the construction contract for each KU project, as applicable.

Power-Operated Building Entrance Doors Signs: 6” x 6” pictograms with universal symbol of accessibility, white on blue background, adhesively applied onto face of each door equipped with a power operator, 36” to 60” AFF. Other Accessible Entrance Signs: When all entrances to a building are not accessible, provide adhered 6” x 6” pictogram signs on the accessible

27 KU Interior Signage Policy

doors, and provide signs at inaccessible entrances providing directions to accessible entrances. Main entrances must be accessible.

Code Required Interior Signage: CODE REQUIRED signs shall be provided and installed prior to final inspection for occupancy. Failure to provide and install signage shall delay the certificate of occupancy being issued by the AHJ. Show all these signs on the contract documents.

Required sign list: • Tactile exits signs • Stair identification signs • Toilet Room signs • Stairwell Level signs • Elevator- Do not use signs • Elevator- Emergency Handicapped Egress signs • Braille on Room number signs if provided • Room maximum occupancy signs • Emergency Plan Signs • Severe weather signs- Standard KU sign • Area of Refuge Instructions Tactile Exit Sign: On the approach side of ALL exterior exit doors, Horizontal exit doors and stairwell doors, 2 ¼” x 4 ½” blade , on the latch side at 60” AFF to centerline of sign.

Refer to IBC_(section #)_. Signs for stairwells should include stairwell designation indicated below. Provide large text- 1 ½” with Braille on signs without stair designations.

EXIT BRAILLE

28 KU Interior Signage Policy

Stairwell Identification Signs: On corridor side mounted on the latch side at 60” AFF to centerline of sign. Provide one 2 ¼” x 4 ½” sign with ‘EXIT’ then the stair name text (Ex: ‘Stair 3S1’) with Braille below text. In the example, ‘3’ refers to 3rd floor and ‘S1’ refers to the stairwell number assigned by KU. Toilet Rooms: Provide 6”x 8” sign with ADA pictogram and 1” text below pictogram which reads ‘Men’, ‘Women’ or ‘ Family Restroom’ (if shared restroom).

Stairwell Level sign: Inside stairwells on each landing, provide coderequired signs, 10” x 10” size (per IBC). Text shall be 3/4” high letters with a 3” high floor number. Install sign with centerline 5’ above elevation of landing, in a readily visible location when all doors are open and closed (ref.

IBC 1005.3.2.4).

Elevator Signage: Provide per code. Text to read ‘Do Not Use in Case of Fire’ and include standard pictogram. Coordinate with elevator specs and submittals; omit separate sign if signage provided by elevator manufacturer.

Elevator Emergency Egress Sign: Provide10” x 10” sign if elevator is used for Handicapped emergency egress and the elevator is equipped for that function and is on emergency power. Locate sign at every elevator call station. Sign to read :

29 KU Interior Signage Policy

Room number signs: provide one for each door in building. Standard size to be 2 ¼” x 4 ½” blade with room number in raised letters, with Braille below text. Provide larger blade to identify multiple distinct room numbers occurring beyond door.

Room Maximum Occupancy Signs: Provide a 10”X10” sign installed in ALL assembly occupancies (over 40 occupants) with loose or fixed seating.

Locate sign on the latch side of the entrance door, top of sign even with the top of door frame. Text shall be- 1st 2 lines 1” high, occupancy number 2 ½” high, last 2 lines ¾” high (no braille) Text as follows:

Emergency Plan Signs: Provide one sign holder at primary firefighter’s entrance; typically sized to receive an inserted 11” x 17” sheet of paper with a clearly legible floor plan indicating all emergency exits and exit corridors.

For new construction, consultants shall provide this floor plan printout, which can be modified from the final code footprint.

Severe Weather Signs: Provide 10”x10” University Standard Severe weather signs throughout building at the following locations: • Elevator lobbies • Corridor side of stairwells at latch side of door or adjacent wall

30 KU Interior Signage Policy

Emergency Lighting Testing Instructions: In assemble occupancies with normally OFF emergency lighting provide a sign; gray with red letters, 4 1/2 inches wide (the width of double gang wall switch) and 2 inches high; text ¼” high, located just above the typical room lighting wall switch on the latch side of the primary entrance door to the room. Sign should be mounted just above the wall switch or at 60” above finished floor. Sign shall state the following:

Area of Refuge Instructions: (if communications system is provided) Information on how to use communication device per code. Standard text as follows, 5/8” high letters:

General Informational Interior Signage (recommended, not code required): Building Directory: Refer to requirements specified under the Directories and Bulletin Boards - 10416 section of this Division.

31 KU Interior Signage Policy

Directional Signage: Provide as required to clearly direct traffic through building. Typically provide on each floor outside elevator or stairs in main lobbies, noting sequence of room numbers that occur in each direction of travel. If the location of the elevator is not obvious when entering the building provide a directional sign as to the direction of travel to reach the elevator.

Room Numbers with Descriptive Room Names: Provide only at permanent locations where this information is needed. Examples: Dean of Fine Arts; Inge Theater; Lecture Hall; Multimedia Classroom; Vending; Mechanical; Electrical; Tunnel Access; Telecom; Utility; Housekeeping; Storage; Roof; .

Provide in standardized module widths and heights as appropriate for each project.

Room Numbers & Occupant Names: If desired by building users and the project budget allows it, provide signs in those locations with an integral slot covered with clear plastic for removable inserts designating the room occupants’ names are typically not included in KU room signage. If included, they shall have a fixed clear cover over the insert, and allow room occupants to create computer-generated inserts rather than being required to purchase pre-manufactured inserts.

32 KU Interior Signage Policy

Interior Signage Specifications: Materials: Solid phenolic material; engraved, etched or blasted to create both raised relief letters and Braille.

• Colors may either be integral or hard-coat paint, as approved by DCM. Corners: Required to have a 3/8” radius.

Fonts: Size shall be 5/8” to 1” high. 1 inch is preferred. All interior text shall be Helvetica Medium font, title-case (first letter capitalized, unless specified otherwise), left-justified unless pointing to rooms to right.

• Applied letters, numbers or braille text that are separate from substrate materials, and adhered to it, whether chemically or by heat, are NOT acceptable due to poor performance.

• Special graphics on signs, in addition to normal text, are discouraged on signs that might typically require replacement or additional matching signs in the future. These include room numbers, whether plain or including room names or insert slots, and building directories.

Typical Colors: White letters on a dark background, in a color consistent with other interior colors. Brown or bronze background is the standard background color, unless the color scheme suggests other colors that would be more appropriate. Verify with DCM (approval required).

Partial Remodels: Match existing signage (style, colors, fonts, etc) to greatest extent feasible.

Typical Mounting Locations: Mount per ADA & other code requirements.

Typically mount 2” clear off the door frame’s strike jamb, 60” AFF to centerline of sign.

Typical Mounting Methods: Either of the following methods are acceptable: • Not less than 80% coverage double-sided tape over entire back of sign.

• Double-sided tape to temporarily hold in position, with continuous perimeter coverage of silicone sealant/adhesive.

• If mounted on glass sidelight, provide back plate to hide mounting tape.

“Finding the way is not a gift or an innate ability that one either has or does not have. It is a precondition for life itself. Our approach to environments of whatever kind is part of our existence.

A LOO IN S

Living with our respective ways of navigating is a basic premise for our liberty and our self-confidence.

Knowing where I am, my location, is the precondition for knowing where I have to go, wherever it may be.�

- Otl Aicher

35

OK INTO NTERIOR SIGNAGE

36 A Look into Interior Signage

Through my research I was beginning to realize that wayfinding was more than just a sign in space, but the key element of navigating an environment are the visual clues you receive. Without a doubt signage is the most effective and efficient element of a wayfinding system, helping guide users through the environment. This is especially important for the first time user, as all too often they have no idea of where to go when they enter a building.

With this said, I decided to take a stroll through both Marvin Hall, and the Art & Design building to document what I found. Needless to say it was even a surprise to me what I found. The inconsistencies, lack of signage, misplacement of signs, missing content, hierarchical system of signs, and even neglect of current codes were not what I expected. While the codes state that certain elements of the building only have to meet the code at the time of last renovation, the user does not care about that. People, even more disabled people, expect to find that the signage needs to meet the standard of today’s code/living. If someone sees a sign for an accessible restroom, they expect to go into that restroom and all aspects of be accessible. As we will see, this was not the case in some locations.

Within this chapter we will look into the signage posted throughout Marvin Hall and the Art & Design building on the University of Kansas’ campus. The first section of this chapter will focus on Marvin Hall and then the second half we will look into Art & Design, and compare the two.

37 A Look into Interior Signage

In trying to locate the accessible entrance to Marvin Hall, it becomes confusing because there are only two directional signs which are both hidden. One on the northwest corner away from the building and the other posted on a brick wall which is easily walked by.

Looking for accessible entrance in the front of the building. Unfortunately located on the Northwest corner of the building.

Looking for accessible entrance in the rear of the building. Located behind trees on the brick wall.

Front entry. No sense of direction by way of directory, map, directional signage.

MARVIN HALL

Entry Points

38 A Look into Interior Signage

Stair Identifiers Within Marvin Hall there are 5 different stair identifier signs. While the color and size of sign is consistent, the graphics, text, and placement of signs are all different.

Correct symbol, incorrect verbiage, no braille

Correct verbage, missing symbol, no braille

Incorrect symbol, All capital letters, correct verbiage and braille

Incorrect verbiage, upside down symbol, no braille

39 A Look into Interior Signage

Fire Alarm Identifiers There are 4 different fire alarm identifiers within Marvin Hall, and in numerous locations there are no signs.

All capital letters, no tactile lettering, no braille, no symbol

Has braille, no symbol

Different color but may be the color to use, no braille

Larger font, no braille

40 A Look into Interior Signage

Restroom Identifiers While all the restrooms in Marvin Hall are labeled with accessible symbols, none of the restrooms meet the current code, in particular the size of the “accessible� stall. The doors are too heavy, and the door knobs can be difficult for certain individuals to open the doors.

Placement of sign is on the door when it could be placed on the latch side of the door. No braille

41 A Look into Interior Signage Placement of sign is on the door when it could be placed on the latch side of the door. No braille

2 different signs for the same restroom

42 A Look into Interior Signage

Elevator Identifiers The elevator signs are consistent for the most part throughout the building but most of them use all capital lettering. The call buttons in the elevator have no tactile or braille to them, so a blind person wouldn’t be able to tell which button to push.

Correct lettering, no braille

All capital letters, on wall next to elevator instead of hallway side

No tactile lettering or braille with the exception of alarm and key buttons

43 A Look into Interior Signage

Room Identifiers There is no consistency to the signage system. Some have missing letters, no tactile or braille, clutter around the sign, or sign is simply too big for the information displayed.

Accurate Signage (well with the exception of a missing letter)

No room number, no braille, no tactile, too much information on one sign

Sign might be accurately created and placed, but all the other postings around it make it almost not stand out

Lettering and braille is accurate, but the sign is too big for the information displayed

44 A Look into Interior Signage

Two signs together which is unnecessary. Accurately created, but placement is too far from door opening. Could be placed on the glass

Marvin Hall Overview The signage throughout Marvin Hall is poorly thought out. The consistency is not there between similar signs and even different signs with letter sizing, placement, size of sign, what is being displayed on the sign, and accuracy with the adjacent room. There are no directional signs or even directories to help the user ground them within the building when they arrive. All of these things need to be looked into by the University to ensure that there is equal opportunity there for those who might need other needs like tactile lettering, braille, or even symbols.

45 A Look into Interior Signage

The Art & Design building has four different entry points, but you would never know it unless you had been in the building before. There are two “accessible” entries, but there is no signage indication through signage of where they are located.

“Accessible” entrance on the west side of building is not accessible because the only way to get to it is by using a very steep incline or these sets of steps.

Accessible?

This is the west side accessible entrance

No indication from parking lot of which way to go to get to the accessible entrance

ART & DESIGN

Entry Points

46 A Look into Interior Signage

Level Identifiers The level identifiers in the Art & Design building are an essential element in the signage system, because the building is split into half levels with a north and a south wing which can become very confusing.

Correct symbol, incorrect verbiage, no braille

Stair identifiers are placed on the door with no braille

The identifiers for the floor levels are about eight feet in the air where most users would not see them

Another floor indicator that is about a foot below the ceiling

47 A Look into Interior Signage

Restroom Identifiers The biggest issue found with the restroom signage is not necessarily having a clear message of which restrooms are the accessible ones in the building.

The sign on the door has no tactile or braille.

Missing letter (only one letter way from becoming a “Men’s” restroom)

This is just my own restroom

We have a Men’s restroom now

48 A Look into Interior Signage

Directional Signage While the Art & Design building has directional signage, it is posted on a dark red paper with black lettering. For some users it might be very hard to read and for others it may be impossible to read due to a visual impairment.

The information on the sign is good, just not fully accessible

Arrow is not pointing in the correct direction which can misguide people

Three different signs with arrows can be confusing

Arrows can be misleading and the height of the sign is a bit high

49 A Look into Interior Signage

Other Identifiers Most of the room identifiers in Art & Design are up to code and accessible, but there are a number of signs which are misplaced, misleading, confusing, or even incorrect.

Good tactile lettering and braille

The sign itself is correct, just not the placement.

Why do we need two signs for the same room?

Why do we need three signs for the same room?

50 A Look into Interior Signage

Multiple rooms within this room but no indication of what other rooms are in there

Placement of sign is about six feet up the wall

Which room is this, 330 or 331? Not exactly sure

51 A Look into Interior Signage Hand written signage, acceptable?

Art & Design Overview Even though Art & Design a little bit more organized in the signage system, it is still extremely difficult to navigate your way through the building. There are no indications of accessible entrances and even when entering the building there are no directories of where to go which is confusing with the split level design. What makes the building a bit easier to navigate is the directional signage that can be read at certain points. Still there are inconsistency issues along with placement, accuracy, and confusing or misleading signs.

“70-75 per cent of the information we receive is given through eyesight. Anyone with a significant degree of sight loss, or no sight at all, will experience an ‘information deficit’. So it is crucial that sign practitioners maximize the visibility and legibility of signs to make use of any remaining vision.

Embossed, Braille and audible signs can improve access for those with limited vision.”

- Peter Barker

S

53

CASE STUDIES

54 Case Studies

After completing an assessment of both Marvin Hall and Art & Design, I found the best solution to finding the users perception of wayfinding and signage was to develop a scenario based study. The main purpose of this study was to analyze information taken through visual and documented research of the human subject’s ability to navigate through a building in a state of little to no signage. The evaluation process will take the studied subjects written and recorded documentation, and apply it into a form that shows the average users abilities to navigate space.

Throughout this chapter you will begin to see some of the flaws in the signage systems that have been implemented within both buildings and how they relate to one another. The studies will range in a diverse group of people with individuals with physical disabilities, to invisible disabilities (developmental disabilities), to visual impairments, to hearing impairments, to those without a disability at all. Some of the users who don’t live with a disability chose to complete the study in a wheelchair to get a full understanding of what kind of daily life experiences one might go through if they are permanently in a wheelchair.

With twelve participants completing the scenarios, each one submitted a survey with responses to their findings in the study. After all the surveys had been submitted the information from the videos and surveys were then documented into a content analysis where specific elements of the study were looked at closely and compared how different factors effected the scenario study.

Overall the study from the participants eyes was a huge learning experience and they all felt like they took a completely different perspective of how signage and wayfinding can really affect a user when they are put into an environment that they were not familiar with or comfortable with due to time constraints.

55 Case Studies

It is 8:15am, the first day of classes have begun for you as a graduate student in architecture. You arrive on campus for the first time where you are dropped off in front of Marvin Hall. Before class begins you are asked to take some documentation to the Department Chairs office of Architecture.

From there you need to head to your studio which is located in Marvin Hall, Room 313 or 409. Around 11:30am, studio has recessed and you have to use the restroom. You have been assigned a research project which is due the next class period. So you decide to take the professors’ advice and do some searching in the Hatch Reading which is located on the fourth floor.

It’s approaching 1:00pm and you have to meet a fellow classmate in Room 218 of Art & Design at 1:30pm so you pack up your things to find where it is located. During this class you are instructed to build a simple little wooden box to store all of your supplies in so you need to head to the wood shop located in room 103. You finish your work by the end of class and you are dismissed.

The next thing on your agenda is a meeting with Richard Branham in his office located in Art & Design, Room 348, but you need to use the restroom one more time. While in the meeting the fire alarm sounds and you have to make it to the nearest exit or area of refuge, but for some reason Richard leaves you in the dust and you are alone trying to figure out which way to go.

Fortunately the meeting was concluding and you were just making small talk so there is no need to return to his office.

You head home for a few hours to rest and grab something to eat then need to come back up to your studio to finalize some research. After completing the research you need to build a quick study model for your precedent study.

This will require you to use the Marvin Shop to cut some wood pieces.

After a couple hours of work you decide that you are happy with your model and call it a night. So get on out of studio and head home.

THE SCENARIO

Scenario Based Study:

56 Case Studies

Locating the Accessible Entrance At the beginning of each scenario the participant would start in front of Marvin Hall. From there they would have to locate the accessible entrance to Marvin, to give a not-so-familiar point of entry. The reasoning for this was to take the individual out of their element from the beginning. It was to put the individual into a situation they may have to encounter at some point in their life, by needing to use the accessible entrance, which is not always the front entrance, especially in historic buildings.

The first observation I found was that most people would look for some sort of visual clue to help them locate the accessible entrance. Out of the 12 participants, only 2 of those individuals found a sign which pointed them in the direction of where to go. The problem with this is that the sign is located about 100 feet to the northwest of the building and posted about 8 feet in the air. Even with 10 of the subjects not locating the sign, all the individuals were able to locate the accessible ramp and entrance with little difficulty and an average time of just over 3 minutes.

Individual walking right by the sign but didn’t notice it

57 Case Studies

Locating the Architectural Chair’s Office After making it to the accessible entrance to Marvin Hall in the rear of the building, the participants would then be directed to locate the Departmental Chair’s office for architecture. Most of the individuals felt lost immediately when entering the building. The first thing they would look for was some kind of sign (directory, directional sign, etc.) to help navigate them to the office, but with no signs posted there was no way for them to know where to go. At this point most of the individuals wandered up and down the first floor hallway and in many cases several times before contemplating going to the second floor.

After at least one pass down the hallway, the participants decided to take the elevator to the second floor to see if they would have better luck finding the office. Upon entering the second floor the individuals all seemed to be a bit more comfortable. The belief for this is that it is well lit and there tends to more individuals wandering in the hallway. After about 3 and a half minutes time from entering the building the individuals found their destination.

Chair user lost and asking for assistance

Individual lost and looking for sign to direct her to the Department Chairs Office

58 Case Studies

Locating the Assigned Studio Space The next step in the scenario for the participant was to find an assigned studio. My choice of studio depended on whether the individual was male or female. The reason for this was the alternating restrooms within Marvin Hall, the first and third floor holding males restrooms and the second and fourth floor having women’s restrooms. For the men in the study, there studio was room 409 in Marvin Hall, and the women’s studio was 313.

For this portion of the scenario, the participants didn’t seem to be bothered by trying to find the studio, but in a couple scenarios, the individuals were either hesitant to enter the common spaces leading to the studios because of reviews taking place or in one case a blind individual couldn’t find the sign because of its location. The average spent time from the Chair’s office to studio was roughly 2 and half minutes.

Hesitates to enter space to locate studio because of reviews taking place

Blind individual unable to locate sign because of placement

59 Case Studies

Locating the Restroom After finding their studio space, the individuals had to locate the restroom.

In most cases the individual became very confused that they could only find one restroom on each floor. Many of these participants would end up traveling to multiple floors before finding the restroom. With the restrooms being in a little alcove space, it made them very easy to overlook while walking down the hallway.

The restrooms in Marvin Hall were a problem for those users who were in wheelchairs. The signs on the doors implied that the restrooms were accessible, but when trying to go into the accessible stall, there is not a five foot radius and in almost all cases the space was only about three feet wide.

Individuals who use wheelchairs nowadays expect for the restroom to be accessible if the sign implies that it is accessible. Unfortunately the way our code system works, the signs are acceptable because they placed under the current code the last time any renovations were completed. Unfortunately this is unacceptable to those individuals who need an accessible stall.

Both individuals explaining that they would not be able to use the restroom because the stalls were not large enough to get both them and their wheelchairs in them

60 Case Studies

Locating the Hatch Reading Room Considering the scenario told the user the Hatch Reading room was located on the fourth floor of Marvin Hall, they didn’t seem to have any problems locating it. The single issue many users pointed out was the missing letters on the sign for the space. It was almost as if they just assumed it was the Hatch Reading Room because of the letters that still existed.

The one thing I noticed in this part of the scenario was how the simple design and scale of the building worked in the participants favor. If this were a building of much larger scale like Strong Hall, the participant would have struggled a bit more in navigating to the destination.

Blind individual trying to find the Hatch Reading Room and is finding it very difficult to locate signage

61 Case Studies

Locating Room 218 in Art & Design So this is where the struggles really began! Room 218 in Art & Design is quite possibly one of the most difficult rooms to find on campus. When I did my building assessment, I didn’t realize there were rooms in the area that this one resides in. On top of that, the building is designed with split levels, so each floor has two different levels, making it more confusing.

Most people would find the general area, more specifically room 217 which is a shop area. The problem with finding room 218 is that you are forced to go through the shop of room 217 to a hallway in the back corner which leads you to 5 small rooms. It is very confusing and difficult to find if you have never been there before and amongst the 12 participants only 1 person was able to locate the space without asking for assistance, and that is mainly because there was not a single person around with the exception of me.

The average time spent trying to locate the room was 16 minutes and that is from the Hatch Reading Room to Room 218 which is typically a 3-4 minute walk if you know how to get there. You could start to see individual’s anxiety level rise during this portion of the scenario.

Very confused why the room numbers went from the 200’s in Marvin Hall to the 300’s in Art & Design. She went back and forth between the two buildings three times before realizing the mistakes

62 Case Studies

Figures that going outside might help reground herself to see if there is another part of the building that nobody knows about

Asking for assistance to locate Room 218 and the Art Major student is thinking long and hard but still couldn’t tell her where to go

63 Case Studies Well he is in room 217 but just feels like there is no need to go any further until he asked someone

And finally everyone was able to find it with a smile on their face

64 Case Studies

Locating Room 103 in Art & Design After the challenging events of finding room 218, everyone felt relieved to be given such a simple task of locating the wood shop in 103 of Art & Design. Everyone found this one pretty easy but all said the sign was a bit hard to locate because it is kind of tucked behind the door of the shop when it is open. After the 218 experience and how long it took this one only took about 2 minutes to locate and then they had to find the restroom one more time which was even easier because it was right across the hall from the wood shop. The reasoning for doing the bathroom next was to see if anyone would go past it as they walked out the door and thankfully nobody did.

Spots the restroom immediately coming out of the shop

Found it a bit hard to find the sign for the shop but found it and then went directly into the restroom

65 Case Studies

Locating Room 348 in Art & Design The problem with trying to locate room 348 is the design of the Art & Design building. With it being essentially divided into 2 separate wings individuals found it a bit confusing and frustrating on which side to go to. Of course all of this came after trying to locate room 218 and they felt like they might have to go searching through spaces again.

The fortunate thing for most people is that they remembered some temporary signage posted in the cafe area and down some of the hallways that directed you to certain rooms. Most of the individuals would go back to those signs to see if any of them would direct them to room 348. With luck on their side they all for the most part were able to find the sign in the cafe which pointed them in the right direction, and after that it was not a problem. The average spent time on this portion was only about 3 and half minutes.

Asking for assistance on which side of the building the room might be located

Looking down hallways at the signage to see if he is even close, it’s a guessing game

66 Case Studies

Getting to an Exit or Area of Refuge Something I really found out during this study was the fact that many people didn’t know what an area of refuge was. This came as a shock to me and honestly felt that it should be known by all individuals not just those who can’t use stairs to get out of the building. Many of the participants spent just over 2 minutes trying to find an area that they felt was safe, but many didn’t exactly find an area of refuge. With the closest area of refuge only about 20 to 30 seconds away from room 348, I found this terrifying that if they were put into a situation where there was a fire, that they might not know how to get out or even call for help. Our first and most important job as designers of buildings is to make them safe and provide enough information to allow the user time to get out of the space safely.

As a chair user, you are more commonly aware of where to go in case of a fire and he knew exactly what to do

Even though she sees the outside and is right next to an area of refuge, she goes right by it and down the hall. It’s the UNKOWN factor

67 Case Studies

Locating the Marvin Shop After the fire drill and them leaving the building, each participant needed to head back to Marvin Hall to locate the Marvin Wood Shop. This process was fairly simple because most of them felt quite a bit more comfortable with Marvin Hall after being in it during the first part of the study. Along with that some of the individuals remembered seeing the shop when they were wandering around the first floor looking for the department chair’s office.

The average spent time looking for the shop was roughly 3 minutes and that is from outside the building wherever they exited to the final destination.

Some also took into consideration the fact that they remembered the shop in Art & Design being on the first floor so they thought they would look at the first floor in Marvin to begin and go from there.

She is heading back to the entrance because she remembers the shop being on the first floor

She walks right past it knowing it is on the first floor but then quickly regains her ground and finds it

Case Studies Volunteer: Email: Scenario Date:

Building Familiarity

The purpose of this research is to take the first time visitor/student who has limited or no experience in a building on campus, and provide them with a scenario that one might go through on any giving day. The goal is to have one navigate through a building in its present state while studying the total experience of that individual, and later have them complete the same scenario with adequate signage, maps, directories, etc., all while recording the change in experience. This information will lend itself useful in developing a protocol for wayfinding/signage, which will then set a policy for the University to follow.

General Wayfinding/Signage Questionnaire How difficult was it to find the accessible entrance to the building? Please explain.

Do you recall seeing a directory anywhere in the building?

If yes, explain how it was helpful in you navigating the building.

If no, would a directory have helped you locate your destination points easier? Please explain.

Do you recall seeing any signs meant to direct you to your destination points?

If yes, were they helpful? In what way?

If no, what might have been done to improve the situation?

Were there any maps found to help you locate your destination points?

What role did the maps or lack of maps do to contribute to your experience?

THE SURVEY

Purpose

70 Case Studies

Volunteer: Email: Scenario Date:

Building Familiarity

Were there any other features throughout the building to help assist you in finding your destination? (landmarks, kiosks, colors, etc.)

Please Explain

What contributed most to the problems you experienced?

Think of a situation in the building where you found it easy to navigate‌‌ a. What contributed most to you navigating the space with ease?

b. What role did signage play?

c.

Did any other features of the building or amenities help?

Can you recall an instance where the placement of a particular sign affected or prevented you from being able to read or understand its content? Please Explain

Were signs properly positioned? (Consistently placed) If yes, how helpful were they?

If no, what did you find inconsistent about the signage?

71 Case Studies Volunteer: Email: Scenario Date:

Building Familiarity

Were the signs lighted properly?

If no, what could have been done to fix the problem?

Were signs easy to read?

If no, what contributed to the legibility of the sign?

Do you believe signs that have graphic symbols are more useful than signs with text only?

Please Explain

Do you expect to find signs with tactile lettering?

Do you expect to find signs with braille?

Rate importance of having tactile lettering and braille on the following signs in your journey through a public building from the time you enter to the time you leave?

(Not important = 1, Very important = 5) 1

2

3

4

5

Exterior Building Identification Sign………………………………………………………….……











Main Lobby Directory Sign……………………………………………………………………………











Floor/Level Directory Sign…………………………………………………………………………….











Amenity Signs (restrooms, elevators, stairs, etc.)……………………………………………











Signs to a Department…………………………………………………………………………………











General Message Signs………………………………………………………………………………..











Room Signs………………………………………………………………………………………………..











72 Case Studies

Volunteer: Email: Scenario Date:

Building Familiarity

Do you find colors make signs easier to read?

Please Explain

Do you find color prevents or distracts signage systems from being clear and easy to read?

Please Explain

Would you find it helpful to have a digital wayfinding kiosk located in the building?

Please Explain

If you were designing a signage/wayfinding system for a public building, what is the ONE thing you think would be most important to incorporate?

If you were designing a signage/wayfinding system for a public building, what is the ONE thing you think you would avoid doing?

73 Case Studies

After the completion of all the scenarios and surveys, the goal was to take all the information collected and break it down into a system which could be compared to one another. The first collection of data was the elapsed time for each destination point. Second was figuring out how many participants had to ask for assistance to locate those destination points. Third was a breakdown of the survey questions to figure out how useful the participants found the current wayfinding and signage and what they felt would improve the current system.

After all the data was collected and put into an excel document, the process of further breakdown began to compare different groups within the study.

I noticed during the study that individuals had different levels of anxiety, so I knew this would be one of them. Others included male vs. female participants, the familiarity to the buildings, individuals who have disabilities vs. no disability, wheelchair users vs. non-chair users, and visible disabilities vs. invisible disabilities.

As you will begin to see, through the different comparisons, there wasn’t a big difference in how people perceive the space and use visual clues to help them find destination points.

THE ANALYSIS

Content Analysis

74 Case Studies

Familiarity with Marvin Hall and Art & Design While everyone might agree that you rarely notice the signs in a building when you have become familiar with it, you don’t look at that way when you are first introduced to a space. Hospitals are one of the most alarming examples of this and somewhere not too far from that is a University campus. As a first time visitor or student, it almost seems intimidating to enter a space that is foreign and have no clue where to go. Well that is the way that some of the participants in this study felt. Out of the 12 people who took place in the study, half of them had been in the buildings before and the other half had not. Even with this said it didn’t seem to have a huge impact on the study because most of the people who had been in both buildings were really on familiar with one of them.

In both cases, the user would still look for visual clues to help find their way around. This is not uncommon for people to do this in any situation even if they have some kind of familiarity with the space.

The “orange” graphic bars resemble the total number of participants and the average or total counts for the that specific section of the chart. The “blue” represents the participants who have had no experience in the buildings and the “magenta” represents the users who have been in the buildings before.

2:25

Ac ce ss Ac ibl eE ce 1 ss Ar ntr i b an ch 0 l e ce ite St E ntr Sig ct ud u a n re io nc e De Sp pa ac rtm e en tC ha ir

4

0

2

1

Accurately Labeled Signage Signage Played a Role Graphic Symbols Help

6

5

Colored Signage Helps

6

5

Prefer Graphic/Text Signage

0

6 6

4

6

Uniformity Amongst Signage Uniformity Would Help Digital Kiosk Would Help

5

Tactile Lettering Expected

5

Braille Expected

4

3

Signs Were Easy to Read

3

2

Signs Were Lit Properly Signs Should Meet Code

2:50

2 Architecture Department Chair

3 Studio Space

4 Marvin Restroom

5 Hatch Reading Room

6 Art & Design Room 218

7 Art & Design Room 103

8 Art & Design Restroom

signs

discomfort

calm

why

218

give up nervous timely manner

danger

damper what

wild goose chase brighter clarity

lack of signs slower

orient

inefficient

frustrating

random

grounded

less

help

which way

easier

where am i

retrace exhausting

where intersection

ridiculous landmarks

overwhelmed

scarypeople

anxious nodes words

more labeling obama here it is

challenging

useless

patterns

difficult

directions

organized

contrast

inconsistent

reorient

indicators

1:55

1 Accessible Entrance

uniformity

guessing

3:15

9

destination

hard

what floor complicated identify

faster

0:20

consistent romney maps clueless vague

2:00

“managed to use some locations such as the cafeteria and offices as a way to help me identify my general location with respect to the area of the building.”

unorganized

12:10

6

rs

terrible visible

ato r

1:20

se

problems

nE lav

2:25

4

11 Art & Design Room 218

2:05

ll U

n Sig ce an ntr le E nce s ib ir ntra ces Cha Ac le E ent 9 ssib artm cce Dep ure 0 A tect rchi e 2 A Spac udio 1 St m estroo rvin R 2 Ma Room Reading 2 Hatch Design 4 Bridge to Art &

Art &

3:05

3

2 Art & Design Ro om 103 2 Art & Design R estroom 1 Art & D e sign R oom 3 1 E 48 x it / Area of R 2 efug M arvi e nS 1 M hop arv i n 4 E le vat or De sig

2:10

2

11

Accurate Signage Placement

“I had to ask a series of people to actually find just room 218 of Art & Design.”

3:30

1

10

1

“make sure there are plenty of maps around each floor and possibly outside of the building that tell you for sure entrances/exits, restrooms, accessible entrances/exits & restrooms, stairs, and which way the numbers go up and down.”

A

8

2

2:05

11

7

Consistent Signage

6

3:30

10

5

1

3

1 Art & Design Elavator

2:00

9

2

4

6

legible

8

20:45

5

Need for a Directory

e

7

1:10

5

Wayfinding system Useful

r ie n c

6

3:35

om ro om st Ro e g n R sig din vin De ea ar 8 R M t& 21 Ar tc h 0 m a o o t o H R e 1 103 idg ign es Br D oom 0 R & n g m Art esi roo 5 est &D R t r n ig 0 A 348 Des oom rt & R n g 0 A i Des rt & 0 A efuge a of R it/Are x E 0 in Shop 1 Marv levator 0 Marvin E

directory

5

Ro Ar t& om ign De Re 34 sig Art s 8 tro nR &D 1 o oo m es m ign 2 Bri 1 R 0 d ge oo 3 m 2 to A 21 rt & 8 Hat 6 De ch R sig ead n 4 ing R o Mar o m vin R 1 estr oom 2 Studio Spac Archite e 1 cture D epartm ent Ch air 1 Accessible Entrance 0 Accessible Entrance Sign 5

No E xpe

4

3:05

n

wrong way

3

3:50

Expe rien cea a

De sig

1

6

Case Studies

75 Time to Destination

2

4:10

De s

Ex

Ar t&

&

r 3 ato 1 lav r nE ato 1 sig ev El op De 1 Sh t& vin e r Ar in ug Ma rv a ef M R of ea Ar it/

UNKNOWN Ar t

1

12 Individuals Total

6 Both Sides

“most of the places did not have signs to direct me to them. Having something in the elevators that highlight major places would be useful. Making sure signs are visible would be important too, because some signs for rooms were literally NOT visible because of the open door.”

colors lost forgot hidden efficient

9 Art & Design Room 348

10 Exit/Area of Refuge

11 Marvin Shop

76 Case Studies

Male vs. Female The idea for comparing the female to the male participants was to see if there was any difference in their willingness to ask for assistance. This revealed a little surprise to me as I thought women would be shyer about asking for assistance but come to find out that the men were the ones who didn’t want to ask for assistance. Maybe this is because men want to feel like they need to do everything on their own until they feel like they have failed, and women are not worried about their “ego” as much as men. I found that the men were far more hesitant to ask for assistance even after I told them that they could ask. With this said the men seemed to be able to navigate the spaces in a timelier manner than the women. I am not quite sure how this is relevant but found it interesting considering the women were the ones asking for more guidance. The women also didn’t find the current wayfinding system as useful as the men did and that could have had an impact on why they were more willing to ask for assistance throughout the study.

The “orange” graphic bars resemble the total number of participants and the average or total counts for the that specific section of the chart. The “blue” represents the male participants and the “magenta” represents the female users.

17:10

Ac ce ss Ac ibl eE ce 1 ss Ar ntr i b an ch 0 l e ce ite St E ntr Sig ct ud u a n re io nc e De Sp pa ac rtm e en tC ha ir

4

0

12 Individuals Total Signage Played a Role Graphic Symbols Help Colored Signage Helps Prefer Graphic/Text Signage Uniformity Amongst Signage Uniformity Would Help

6

4

Digital Kiosk Would Help

6

4

Tactile Lettering Expected

5

4

Braille Expected

2

Signs Were Easy to Read

2

Signs Were Lit Properly

5

Signs Should Meet Code

3:00

3 Studio Space

4 Marvin Restroom

5 Hatch Reading Room

6 Art & Design Room 218

7 Art & Design Room 103

8 Art & Design Restroom

orient

signs

discomfort

calm

lack of signs slower

218

wild goose chase brighter clarity

why

danger

damper what

give up nervous timely manner

frustrating

inefficient

patterns

random

easier

help

which way

less

ridiculous landmarks

retrace exhausting

where intersection

more labeling obama here it is

uniformity

challenging

overwhelmed

useless

grounded

directions

organized

scarypeople

anxious nodes words

where am i

2:00

2 Architecture Department Chair

reorient

indicators

3:35

1 Accessible Entrance

inconsistent

difficult

hard

guessing

faster

0:40

what floor complicated identify

contrast

2:15

consistent romney maps clueless vague

16:00

“digital makes a lot of sense - it could be updated for specific events, etc.”

destination

ato r

1:00

rs

unorganized

3:10

11 Art & Design Room 218

1:45

se

“the numbers didn't always follow a discernible pattern, half-floors complicated things, they were not all located the same place with respect to the entrance of the room/building, and in one case there was even a sign just markered onto the door way up high.”

n Sig ce an ntr le E nce s ib ir ntra ces Cha Ac le E ent 9 ssib artm cce Dep ure 0 A tect rchi e 2 A Spac udio 1 St m estroo rvin R 2 Ma Room Reading 2 Hatch Design 4 Bridge to Art &

Art &

4:10

nE lav

11

2 Art & Design Ro om 103 2 Art & Design R estroom 1 Art & D e sign R oom 3 1 E 48 x it / Area of R 2 efug M arvi e nS 1 M hop arv i n 4 Ele vat or De sig

3:30

6

10

5

6

terrible visible

3:30

4

9

7

Accurately Labeled Signage

“If I could have seen a map, I would have been able to figure out that room 217 wasn’t the dead end I initially thought it was. I reached 217 pretty quickly, then went on a wild goose chase to find 218 because I didn’t know there were more rooms beyond 217.”

1:55

2

8

0

7

3:05

1

7

Accurate Signage Placement

0

3

lU Al

5

1

5

3 Art & Design Elavator

1:55

11

3

2

2:05

9 10

Consistent Signage

4

6

problems

8

1:40

1

5

7

Need for a Directory

2

3

5

legible

7

2:50

4

Wayfinding system Useful

e rs

6

Accessible Entrance Sign 5

0

3

om ro om st Ro e g n R n sig di vin De ea ar 8 R & M 21 rt tc h 1 om oA t o Ha R e 1 103 idg ign es Br om D o 3 & nR m Art sig 6 troo De & Res rt n A g i 1 48 Des m3 rt & Roo n g 1 A i Des rt & 0 A efuge a of R it/Are x E 1 in Shop 1 Marv levator 0 Marvin E

directory

5

Ro Ar t& om ign De Re 34 sig Art s 8 t nR ro &D 1 o o m es o m ign 1 Bri 10 Ro d ge 3 om 1 to A 2 1 r t& 8 Hat 5 De ch R sig ead n 1 ing Roo Mar m vin R 1 estr oom 1 Studio Spac Archite e 1 cture D epartm ent Ch air 1 Accessible Entrance 0

M ale U s

4

3:45

n

wrong way

3

2:35

Fema le U ser saa

De sig

2

7

Case Studies

77 Time to Destination

2

2:30

De s

Ex

Ar t&

&

r 1 ato 1 lav r nE ato 1 sig ev El op De 0 Sh t& vin e r Ar in ug Ma rv a ef M R of ea Ar it/

FEMALE Ar t

1

5 Male

7 Female

“uniformity is a key concern in creating usable wayfinding systems. Once the user has adjusted to viewing the signs/directions you want them to continue to look for the same signage”

colors lost forgot hidden efficient

9 Art & Design Room 348

10 Exit/Area of Refuge

11 Marvin Shop

78 Case Studies

Who Gets Anxious?

What was really surprising when I broke it down into the anxiety levels was that the people who had high levels of anxiety were not willing to ask for assistance as much as the ones with lower anxiety levels. The individual’s willingness to ask for guidance could have played a huge role in their anxiety levels as well. It also played a much larger role in their ability to locate the destination points at a much faster pace. The one that really stands out on the chart is trying to find room 218 in Art & Design. There is almost a 5 minute difference in average times between the two comparisons, but even through most of the other destination points the anxiety levels seemed to have a huge impact on the person’s ability to navigate.

I find this an interesting subject. A person’s ability to navigate a space is highly impacted by their anxiety levels and their anxiety levels are greatly impacted by the amount of signage and visual clues leading them to their destination points. There is no overlooking the fact that signage plays an impact on a person’s anxiety level as we can see in the chart that a much higher percentage of users with lower anxiety levels found the signs more helpful than the ones who had a much higher anxiety level.

The “orange” graphic bars resemble the total number of participants and the average or total counts for the that specific section of the chart. The “blue” represents the participants with a mid to high level of anxiety and the “magenta” represents users with a low to no anxiety at all.

3

5

3:35

1:00

19:20

2:40

Ac ce ss Ac ibl eE ce 2 ss Ar ntr i b an ch 1 l e ce ite St E ntr Sig ct ud u a n re io nc e De Sp pa ac rtm e en tC ha ir

6

0

12 Individuals Total 2

1

Accurate Signage Placement

2

7

3

6

5

7

4

0

7

5

Accurately Labeled Signage Signage Played a Role Graphic Symbols Help Colored Signage Helps Prefer Graphic/Text Signage Uniformity Amongst Signage Uniformity Would Help

6

4

Digital Kiosk Would Help

6

4

Tactile Lettering Expected

4

Braille Expected

6

1 Art & Design Elavator

5

1

3

7

x ie

0:45

2

5

Signs Were Easy to Read Signs Were Lit Properly Signs Should Meet Code

“there is no uniformity of design, placement, or even existence so usability is very limited.

Also, there is a problem with accuracy. I believe that one of the restrooms is labeled as accessible, but isn’t. Need I say more?”

ts y

3:45

9

Le

1:50

ve

10

Consistent Signage

An

8

1:50

1

0

6

Need for a Directory

2

3

om ro om st Ro e g n R n sig di vin De ea ar 8 R & M 21 rt tc h 1 om oA t o Ha R e 2 103 idg ign es Br om D o 1 & nR m Art sig 7 troo De & Res rt n A g i 1 48 Des m3 rt & Roo n g 1 A i Des rt & 1 A efuge a of R it/Are x E 0 in Shop 1 Marv levator 1 Marvin E

Accessible Entrance Sign 3

5

Wayfinding system Useful

ig h

7

Ro Ar t& om ign De Re 34 sig Art s 8 t nR ro &D 0 o o m es o m ign 1 Bri 10 Ro d ge 3 om 1 to A 2 1 r t& 8 Hat 4 De ch R sig ead n 3 ing Roo Mar m vin R 0 estr oom 1 Studio Spac Archite e 0 cture D epartm ent Ch air 0 Accessible Entrance 0

0

to H

6

n

None to Medium Anxie ty L eve lsa a

M ediu m

4

3:55

De sig

2

6

Case Studies

79 Time to Destination

2

3:55

De s

Ex

Ar t&

&

r 3 ato 0 lav r nE ato 1 sig ev El op De 1 Sh t& vin e r Ar in ug Ma rv a ef M R of ea Ar it/

NOFEAR Ar t

1

5 Anxious

7 Not Anxious

“I had to retrace my steps several times to figure out where I was within the building to get myself to the next checkpoint”

ls

11

2:05 2:30

2 Architecture Department Chair

3 Studio Space

4 Marvin Restroom

5 Hatch Reading Room

6 Art & Design Room 218

7 Art & Design Room 103

8 Art & Design Restroom

218

orient

wild goose chase brighter clarity

discomfort

calm

why

danger

damper what

signs

less

give up nervous timely manner

frustrating

inefficient

patterns

random

more labeling obama

lack of signs slower

which way

grounded

uniformity

useless

easier

help

3:10

1 Accessible Entrance

difficult

hard

problems

indicators

retrace exhausting

where intersection where am i

10

challenging

overwhelmed

scarypeople

anxious nodes words

ridiculous landmarks

9

1:30

directions

organized

here it is

8

1:50

inconsistent

faster

7

guessing

reorient

contrast

14:30

6

what floor complicated identify

vague

1:30

destination

2:35

ato r

5

nE lav

4

consistent romney maps clueless

legible

3:10

directory

3

11 Art & Design Room 218

3:10

Art &

2

“whoever laid out the Art & Design & building needs to be beaten into submission with dull wooden spoons. That is all.”

s

n Sig ce an ntr le E nce s ib ir ntra ces Cha Ac le E ent 9 ssib artm cce Dep ure 0 A tect rchi e 2 A Spac udio 1 St m estroo rvin R 2 Ma Room Reading 2 Hatch Design 4 Bridge to Art &

2:35

2 Art & Design Ro om 103 2 Art & Design R estroom 1 Art & D e sign R oom 3 1 E 48 x it / Area of R 2 efug M arvi e nS 1 M hop arv i n 4 Ele vat or De sig

1

er

unorganized

A

s ll U

terrible visible

3:50

wrong way

11

colors lost forgot hidden efficient

9 Art & Design Room 348

10 Exit/Area of Refuge

11 Marvin Shop

80 Case Studies

Disability vs. No Disability Having a disability didn’t seem to impact the study too much with the exception of the individual who lives with a visual impairment. If we were to take his stats out of the study then they would almost be identical to one another. Obviously though we have to consider all users so that’s why it is impossible to ignore the fact that having a visual impairment has a strong impact on how the wayfinding system in an environment is crucial.

Focusing on the visual impairment here because it is something that is often overlooked in designing, is a point I would like to make. Often there are obstacles in the way for those with visual impairments that cause them to not be able to navigate a space well. The biggest problem we come across is the inconsistency in labeling throughout space. A person who is blind expects to find a sign or identifier in a very specific spot and if they can’t locate it, they tend to either not be able to find it on their own or take what should be considered as “way too much time searching” for the sign. This is unacceptable when it comes to our policies, but we have unfortunately been wired to accept it. Tell that to a person who can’t see or see well, or even try blindfolding yourself and navigate a building. It is next to impossible with all the obstacles we put in these users ways.

The “orange” graphic bars resemble the total number of participants and the average or total counts for the that specific section of the chart. The “blue” represents the participants with disabilities and the “magenta” represents the participants who don’t have a disability.

1:40

21:30

2:15

11

Ac ce ss Ac ibl eE ce 0 ss Ar ntr i b an ch 0 l e ce ite St E ntr Sig ct ud u a n re io nc e De Sp pa ac rtm e en tC ha ir

5

0

12 Individuals Total 2

1

Accurately Labeled Signage Signage Played a Role

5

Colored Signage Helps

6

5

Prefer Graphic/Text Signage

7

5

6

4

6

Uniformity Amongst Signage Uniformity Would Help Digital Kiosk Would Help

5

Tactile Lettering Expected

5

Braille Expected

4

2

Signs Were Easy to Read

2

Signs Were Lit Properly

5

Signs Should Meet Code

2:15

3 Studio Space

4 Marvin Restroom

5 Hatch Reading Room

6 Art & Design Room 218

7 Art & Design Room 103

8 Art & Design Restroom

orient

signs

calm

lack of signs slower

218

discomfort

why

danger

damper what

wild goose chase brighter clarity

help

less

give up nervous timely manner

frustrating

inefficient

patterns

easier

where am i

which way

where intersection

ridiculous landmarks

retrace exhausting

scarypeople

anxious nodes words

more labeling obama here it is

challenging

overwhelmed

useless

random

directions

organized

indicators

2:00

2 Architecture Department Chair

reorient

contrast

inconsistent

grounded

uniformity

guessing

difficult

hard

problems

what floor complicated identify

3:35

1 Accessible Entrance

destination

consistent romney maps clueless

faster

0:40

“the only helpful features were when I happened upon a faculty office or student who I could ask directions.”

vague

2:10

“it made me worry about the time I was spending wandering around and made me glad I was not heading to a class or a meeting - I would have been very late, through no fault of my own!”

unorganized

12:50

rs

terrible visible

ato r

1:00

6

10

nE lav

2:30

11 Art & Design Room 218

2:10

se

n Sig ce an ntr le E nce s ib ir ntra ces Cha Ac le E ent 9 ssib artm cce Dep ure 0 A tect rchi e 2 A Spac udio 1 St m estroo rvin R 2 Ma Room Reading 2 Hatch Design 4 Bridge to Art &

3:30

2 Art & Design Ro om 103 2 Art & Design R estroom 1 Art & D e sign R oom 3 1 E 48 x it / Area of R 2 efug M arvi e nS 1 M hop arv i n 4 Ele vat or De sig

2

9

Accurate Signage Placement

“not everybody reads or reads well. I think symbols & text are important. Especially in case of crisis or other stress from the day, some people's bodies shut down partially and they can't function at 100% to just read everything and figure stuff out.”

Art &

3:30

8

1

“the signs I do recall certainly didn’t meet the 2010 ADA Standards.”

4:45

1

7

2

6

7

lU Al

5

Consistent Signage

Graphic Symbols Help

3

1:55

4

1

5

3 Art & Design Elavator

3:05

11

3

2

0

legible

10

Need for a Directory

s

1:55

9

Wayfinding system Useful

iti e

8

3:40

4

4

a b il

7

Accessible Entrance Sign 4

0

/ D is

6

om ro om st Ro e g n R n sig di vin De ea ar 8 R & M 21 rt tc h 1 om oA t o Ha R e 1 103 idg ign es Br om D o 2 & nR m Art sig 7 troo De & Res rt n A g i 1 48 Des m3 rt & Roo n g 1 A i Des rt & 0 A efuge a of R it/Are x E 1 in Shop 1 Marv levator 0 Marvin E

directory

5

Ro Ar t& om ign De Re 34 sig Art s 8 t nR ro &D 1 o o m es o m ign 1 Bri 10 Ro d ge 3 om 1 to A 2 1 r t& 8 Hat 4 De ch R sig ead n 2 ing Roo Mar m vin R 1 estr oom 1 Studio Spac Archite e 1 cture D epartm ent Ch air 2 Accessible Entrance 0

U s ers w

4

3:10

n

wrong way

3

3:30

Users w/o Disa bilit ies aa

De sig

2

7

Case Studies

81 Time to Destination

2

2:20

De s

Ex

Ar t&

&

r 1 ato 1 lav r nE ato 1 sig ev El op De 0 Sh t& vin e r Ar in ug Ma rv a ef M R of ea Ar it/

DISABILITY Ar t

1

5 Disability

7 No Disability

“it was frustrating that I was looking for all these clues to find where I needed to be and there was NOTHING! I was sure there would be maps on the outside of each elevator of the floors. I get turned around a lot, and knowing that the map says "YOU ARE HERE" would have helped me reorient myself instead of thinking "these rooms all have wood, is it the same room or am I in a different place?”

colors lost forgot hidden efficient

9 Art & Design Room 348

10 Exit/Area of Refuge

11 Marvin Shop

82 Case Studies

Visible vs. Invisible Disabilties As stated in the last section, there is not really a big difference between people with visible and invisible disabilities with the exception of the individual who was blind. The one thing found though is the fact that people with disabilities (visible or invisible) regardless are not afraid to ask for assistance when it comes to navigating an environment. Obviously this is a case by case basis but for the most part it is the same across the board.

For the most part the users felt like signage did and always will play a role in how an environment is navigated. As one of the user was found stating that, “it is almost incredible to me that something as simple as a directory is not provided”.

The “orange” graphic bars resemble the total number of participants and the average or total counts for the that specific section of the chart. The “blue” represents participants with a visible disability and the “magenta” represents the users with disabilities that you can’t see.

1:55

17:40

1:55

3:05

Ac ce ss Ac ibl eE ce 1 ss Ar ntr i b an ch 1 l e ce ite St E ntr Sig ct ud u a n re io nc e De Sp pa ac rtm e en tC ha ir

2

1

s iti e

11

t

Case Studies

5 Individuals Total

3

2

Colored Signage Helps

3

2

Prefer Graphic/Text Signage

2

1

Uniformity Amongst Signage Uniformity Would Help Digital Kiosk Would Help

3

2

Tactile Lettering Expected

3

2

Braille Expected

2

Signs Were Easy to Read

2

Signs Were Lit Properly Signs Should Meet Code

3:40

3 Studio Space

4 Marvin Restroom

5 Hatch Reading Room

6 Art & Design Room 218

7 Art & Design Room 103

8 Art & Design Restroom

218

discomfort

calm

why

danger

damper what

wild goose chase brighter clarity

help

less

signs

more labeling obama

lack of signs slower

orient

easier

give up nervous timely manner

frustrating

inefficient

grounded

where intersection where am i

retrace exhausting

scarypeople

anxious nodes words

ridiculous landmarks

challenging

overwhelmed

which way

patterns

directions

indicators

1:25

2 Architecture Department Chair

reorient

organized

useless

random

inconsistent

difficult

uniformity

guessing

3:25

1 Accessible Entrance

destination

problems

hard

legible

what floor complicated identify

here it is

0:10

consistent romney maps clueless

contrast

2:45

“the single most discouraging thing was a lack of signs and maps.”

vague

27:20

“finding the accessible entrance to a building was not difficult mainly because as a chair user, I am used to the older buildings on campus having the entrances in the rear.”

faster

10

wi

unorganized

ato r

1:20

9

Graphic Symbols Help

3

directory

nE lav

3:15

5 Art & Design Room 218

1:30

6

8

2

3

wrong way

2:40

le op

n Sig ce an ntr le E nce s ib ir ntra ces Cha Ac le E ent 5 ssib artm cce Dep ure 1 A tect rchi e 3 A Spac udio 2 St m estroo rvin R 2 Ma Room Reading 2 Hatch Design 3 Bridge to Art &

2

2 Art & Design Ro om 103 2 Art & Design R estroom 2 Art & D e sign R oom 3 1 E 48 x it / Area of R 2 efug M arvi e nS 2 M hop arv i n 2 Ele vat or De sig

2:45

Art &

1

7

Signage Played a Role

3

0

terrible visible

Pe

5

Accurately Labeled Signage

“finding no information to help me find the rooms I needed quickly in terms of time and efficiently in terms of energy”

b il 5:50

4

Accurate Signage Placement

“the wayfinding in general was so difficult that a few signs hardly made up for the overall frustrating experience of trying to find my way around”

2:15

11

3

1

sa

10

Consistent Signage

1

3

2:50

9

1

1

s

8

4:00

Need for a Directory

3

1 Art & Design Elavator

il it i e

7

4:15

Accessible Entrance Sign 3

2

is a b

6

4:00

Wayfinding system Useful

Di

5

1:55

2

2

om ro om st Ro e g n R n sig di vin De ea ar 8 R & M 21 rt tc h 1 om oA t o Ha R e 1 103 idg ign es Br om D o 2 & nR m Art sig 2 troo De & Res rt n A g i 1 48 Des m3 rt & Roo n g 1 A i Des rt & 1 A efuge a of R it/Are x E 1 in Shop 1 Marv levator 1 Marvin E

V is i b l e D

4

n

h

3

Invisible Disa bilit ies aa

De sig

Ro Ar t& om ign De Re 34 sig Art s 8 t nR ro &D 1 o o m es o m ign 1 Bri 10 Ro d ge 3 om 1 to A 2 1 r t& 8 Hat 3 De ch R sig ead n 1 ing Roo Mar m vin R 1 estr oom 1 Studio Spac Archite e 1 cture D epartm ent Ch air 2 Accessible Entrance

Time to Destination

2

De s

Ex

Ar t&

&

r 1 ato 1 lav r nE ato 1 sig ev El op De 0 Sh t& vin e r Ar in ug Ma rv a ef M R of ea Ar it/

INVISIBLE Ar t

1

2 Invisible

3 Visible

“It is almost incredible to me that something as simple as a room directory is not provided at each entrance”

83

“sings that point to areas of rescue are EXPECIALLY important so that a chair user does not have diffulty finding a proper staircase that a firefighter can reach.”

colors lost forgot hidden efficient

9 Art & Design Room 348

10 Exit/Area of Refuge

11 Marvin Shop

84 Case Studies

Wheelchair vs No Wheelchair There are many differences here between people who used wheelchairs vs. people who didn’t. Obviously we can look at the times and say that it took the people in wheelchairs longer to get to the destination points but that is a given because it takes a longer to push yourself around than it does to walk.

The individuals in the wheelchairs didn’t want to ask for assistance as much as the non-chair users did. My belief of this (coming from experience) is that when you are in a wheelchair you don’t really want to ask for assistance.

You like the feeling of being able to do everything on your own because there are definitely daily life challenges that you need assistance on, so when you can do it yourself, you do. The individuals in chairs also found the signs to be extremely important in the process of navigation. The reason for this is that they often have to take an alternate route because of inclines, stairs, or even objects in the way preventing them from taking the same travel path as most others. One of the participants was quoted saying that “signs that point to areas of rescue are especially important so that a chair user does not have difficulty finding a proper staircase that a firefighter can reach”, which is extremely important. This is our goal as a designer to ensure that everything we design has the users safety the main goal.

The “orange” graphic bars resemble the total number of participants and the average or total counts for the that specific section of the chart. The “blue” represents the wheelchair users and the “magenta” represents the users who didn’t use wheelchairs.

Time to Destination

1:25

12:40

2:30

0:30

Ac ce ss Ac ibl eE ce 1 ss Ar ntr i b an ch 1 l e ce ite St E ntr Sig ct ud u a n re io nc e De Sp pa ac rtm e en tC ha ir

5

0

12 Individuals Total 2

1

Accurately Labeled Signage

Graphic Symbols Help

8

3

Colored Signage Helps

8

3

Prefer Graphic/Text Signage

0

8

4

Uniformity Amongst Signage Uniformity Would Help

7

3

Digital Kiosk Would Help

7

3

Tactile Lettering Expected

3

Braille Expected

8

4

2

Signs Were Easy to Read

2

Signs Were Lit Properly

3

Signs Should Meet Code

2:50

2 Architecture Department Chair

3 Studio Space

4 Marvin Restroom

5 Hatch Reading Room

6 Art & Design Room 218

7 Art & Design Room 103

8 Art & Design Restroom

signs

discomfort

calm

why

218

give up nervous timely manner

danger

damper what

wild goose chase brighter clarity

lack of signs slower

orient

inefficient

frustrating

random

grounded

easier

help

which way

less

ridiculous landmarks

retrace exhausting

where intersection

more labeling obama here it is

challenging

overwhelmed

useless

patterns

difficult

directions

organized

scarypeople

anxious nodes words

where am i

1:35

1 Accessible Entrance

inconsistent

reorient

indicators

3:15

9

uniformity

guessing

faster

1:30

what floor complicated identify

contrast

2:00

consistent romney maps clueless vague

18:25

6

“there were only a handful of signs indicating room numbers, labeled hallways were inconsistently marked.”

destination

ato r

1:10

s

unorganized

3:05

lU

hard

4

11

Accurate Signage Placement

“our society is used to seeing the Universal sign for accessibility and it helps people know that there is an ”accessible” route. Words sometimes have a hard time conveying multiple levels of accessibility.”

s er

n Sig ce an ntr le E nce s ib ir ntra ces Cha Ac le E ent 9 ssib artm cce Dep ure 0 A tect rchi e 2 A Spac udio 1 St m estroo rvin R 2 Ma Room Reading 2 Hatch Design 4 Bridge to Art &

2:50

11 Art & Design Room 218

3

2 Art & Design Ro om 103 2 Art & Design R estroom 1 Art & D e sign R oom 3 1 E 48 x it / Area of R 2 efug M arvi e nS 1 M hop arv i n 4 Ele vat or De sig

2:40

Art &

2

nE lav

2:30

10

1

3

7

terrible visible

3:45

1

8

2

“signs must be placed properly - high enough so that they can be seen when corridors are full of students between classes. And if these are too high to touch, then tactile/braille signs must be placed uniformly so that users will know where to reach for them. This should be coordinated across campus so users don’t have to figure out a new system for each building.”

Al

7

Consistent Signage

2:45

11

5

Need for a Directory

Signage Played a Role

problems

10

Wayfinding system Useful

3

8

3:30

9

0

3

s

8

2:50

5

2 Art & Design Elavator

ser

7

Accessible Entrance Sign 4

ai r U

6

om ro om st Ro e g n R n sig di vin De ea ar 8 R & M 21 rt tc h 2 om oA t o Ha R e 2 103 idg ign es Br om D o 3 & nR m Art sig 7 troo De & Res rt n A g i 2 48 Des m3 rt & Roo n g 2 A i Des rt & 1 A efuge a of R it/Are x E 0 in Shop 1 Marv levator 1 Marvin E

legible

5

Ro Ar t& om ign De Re 34 sig Art s 8 t nR ro &D 0 o o m es o m ign 0 Bri 10 Ro d ge 3 om 0 to A 2 1 r t& 8 Hat 4 De ch R sig ead n 1 ing Roo Mar m vin R 0 estr oom 0 Studio Spac Archite e 0 cture D epartm ent Ch air 1 Accessible Entrance 0

4

3

W he elc h

4

2:05

n

7

directory

3

5:05

Non Whee lchai r Us ers aa

De sig

1

wrong way

2

4:10

De s

Ex

Ar t&

&

r 2 ato 0 lav r nE ato 1 sig ev El op De 1 Sh t& vin e r Ar in ug Ma rv a ef M R of ea Ar it/

MOBILITY Ar t

1

4 Chair Users

8 Non Chair

“signs that point to areas of rescue are ESPECIALLY important so that a chair user does not have difficulty finding a proper staircase that a firefighter can reach.”

Case Studies

85

staircase that a firefighter can reach.”

colors lost forgot hidden efficient

9 Art & Design Room 348

10 Exit/Area of Refuge

11 Marvin Shop

There are four basic principles in sign design: •

signs should be used only when necessary

•

sign location should be part of the process of planning the building and the environment

•

messages should be short, simple and easily understood

•

signs should be consistent, using prescribed typefaces, colours and contrast.

- June Fraser

PREC S

87

CEDENT STUDIES

88 Precedent Studies

STANDARDS MANUAL

University of Nebraska–Lincoln Wayfinding and Signage

Interior Sign Type Descriptions

1/9/09

Top View

Top View

Department, Room, Office and Regulatory Identifiers

Wall Guides These sign types are located at key building intersections and along major pathways to direct to nearby destinations and amenities while the header element and colors reinforce the University of Nebraska identity.

A footer element on two of these sign types lists the building name and level number.

Nebraska Hall Restrooms Classrooms 101-129 Construction Mgmt Engineering Library

These sign types are used to indicate the location of public destinations while the header element and colors reinforce the University of Nebraska identity. The largest version of this sign type (as shown in the illustration to the right) can also list other information such as hours of operation. Two of the sign types can also incorporate a notifier bar to hold temporary paper inserts.

Side View

Financial Aid Office Hours: M-F 9am-4:30pm Top View

1234 C A123 4u

Front View Isometric View

SCOTT ENGINEERING CENTER | LEVEL 1

Side View

Front View 7 Destinations

Destinations should be listed in the following order: left, then right, then straight ahead. Destinations within each directional grouping should be listed alphabetically.

WOMEN A footer element on most of the sign types presents the room name or number in tactile lettering and Braille, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. W OMEN

Side View

Front View

Other Sign Face Layouts (reduced 75%)

See Pages 41-43

See Pages 44-49

Top View

Top View

MEN

RESTROOM

STAIRS

MEN

MEN

MEN

Front View

Building Directory

Faculty Directory

This sign type lists the building name and level, and displays a floor plan of the building along with the location of public corridors, building destinations and amenities. The header element and colors reinforce the University of Nebraska identity.

This sign type lists the building name and level, along with the names and room numbers of faculty members whose offices are in the building. The header element and colors reinforce the University of Nebraska identity.

Side View

See Page 50

Overhead Directional and Identifier Signage

Notes

Color Palette

This drawing is design-intent only. Fabricator is responsible for fabrication and engineering details not included in these drawings. Any changes in design, materials, fabrication method or other details must be approved by the client before final fabrication.

K OR W T AR NEBRASKA HALL LEVEL 1

M136

M134

M132

M130

M128

M126 M124

Destination

M122 M120

M121

M137

M135

M135

M135 M135

M135

LE

M135

MP

SA Front View

Room

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M135 M135

M135 M135 M135 M135 M135 M135

M135

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

Classrooms

201-220

Classrooms

221-240

Front View O-1 Overhead Guide (2 Destinations) Ceiling mounted

Restrooms Classrooms

Front View O-2 Overhead Guide (1 Destination) Ceiling mounted

Red MP58180

Dark Gray AKZO 499F2

NEBRASKA HALL Scale

FACULTY LISTING

3" = 1'-0" (on an 8.5 x 11 sheet)

109 East FrontDestination Suite 304 Traverse City, lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj MI 49684 231 947.1236 lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

See Page 51

Side View

Sign System Part Number

Anodized Aluminum Finish

Master Wayfinding Program

Office

Destination

APCO FullView

White

FVS1085(V)MF

Date

Description

10.17.07 10.25.07

Presentation Revised

Design Intent Drawing

Regulatory ID Various Layouts

Office

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

R-1

Front View

Top View

201-220

Classrooms 221-240 These sign types are used to direct to or Front View O-1 Overhead Guide (2 Destinations) indicate the location of Ceiling mounted Student Support Services high-level destinations and (TRIO Program) amenities in areas where Front View Restrooms wall-mounted guides and O-3 Overhead Guide (1 Destination) Cable mounted identifiers are not practical. Front View

Notice and Regulatory Inserts These sign types are used wherever notice or regulatory information needs to be posted and changed regularly. Two sizes allow the printing and use of different-sized inserts.

See Pages 53-54 Side View

Front View N-1

O-2 Overhead Guide (1 Destination)

Their use should be limited Ceiling duemounted to the fact that people, particularly the elderly, often fail to look up for sign information.

See Page 52

Student Support Services (TRIO Program) Front View O-4 Overhead Guide mounted FrontFlag View O-3 Overhead Guide (1 Destination) Cable mounted

Side View Front View N-1a

35 Copyright 2009 Jeffry Corbin Design Inc. and The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Front View O-4 Overhead Guide Flag mounted

All information provided and is property of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. http://fmp.unl.edu/

89 Precedent Studies Interior Sign Array O-1 Overhead Guide Ceiling Mounted

O-4 Overhead Guide Flag Mounted

Nebraska Hall

201-220

Classrooms

221-240

Engineering Library

Restrooms

Classrooms 101-129

NEBRASKA HALL

Restrooms

Restrooms

Construction Mgmt

Student Support Services (TRIO Program)

Classrooms 201-206 Classrooms 208-230

Classroom 204

O-3 Overhead Guide Cable Mounted

O-2 Overhead Guide Ceiling Mounted

Classrooms

Restrooms

K OR W T AR

FACULTY LISTING

NEBRASKA HALL

M136

M134

M132

M130

M128

M126 M124

M122 M120

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M121

M137

M135

M135

M135

SCOTT ENGINEERING CENTER | LEVEL 1 M135

LE

M135

P AM

M135

M135

M135 M135

M135

M135

M135

M135

M135 M135

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

Financial Aid Office

Mechanical Engineering Auditorium

B

Hours: M-F 9am-4:30pm

LEVEL 1

NEBRASKA HALL | LEVEL 2

Engineering Library

Research Museum and Collections

Slide to remove

M123 M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

Mon, Wed, Fri 8-10am, 4-5pm

N H1009

N H1009

C A123 4u

M123 M123 M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

Spring Office Hours:

1011

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

212

N H1009

N H1009

1009

1234

Viacheslav Adamchuk Biological Systems Engineer

1011

436 N H1009

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

Mechanical Engineering Auditorium

B

S

Computer Lab

Date:

1/12/08

New Room:

NH 1230

WOMEN W OMEN

Viacheslav Adamchuk Biological Systems Engineer

1011 N H1009

Slide to remove

1009

10:15

Tue, Thurs 1-3pm

OFFICE PHONE NUMBER: X5843 EMAIL: ADAMCHUK.VIACHESLAV@UNL.EDU

Classroom Change Time:

Classroom Change Time:

10:15

Date:

1/12/08

New Room:

NH 1230

N H1009

Slide to remove

I-5, I-5a Office ID

O-3 Overhead Guide Cable Mounted G-1 Wall Guide Large

Student Support Services (TRIO Program)

Mechanical Engineering Auditorium

B

s: :30pm

Research Museum and Collections

4

remove

B

D-1 Building Map/Directory

D-2 Faculty Directory

I-1 Primary Department ID

I-2, I-2a Large Room ID

I-3, I-3a Small Room ID

I-4, I-4a Room Number Only

N H1009

Spring Office Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 8-10am, 4-5pm

N H1009

Slide to

Computer Lab

Classroom Change Time:

10:15

Date:

1/12/08

New Room:

NH 1230

Tue, Thurs 1-3pm

WOMEN W OMEN

OFFICE PHONE NUMBER: X5843 EMAIL: ADAMCHUK.VIACHESLAV@UNL.EDU

Viacheslav Adamchuk Biological Systems Engineer

1011 N H1009

Slide to remove

1009

G-3 Wall Guide Acrylic

212

N H1009

1011

N H1009

N H1009

Mechanical Engineering Auditorium

G-2 Wall Guide Small

Viacheslav Adamchuk Biological Systems Engineer

1011

436

1009

4u

y nt ID

1/9/09

Classroom Change Time:

10:15

Date:

1/12/08

New Room:

NH 1230

N H1009

Slide to remove

I-5, I-5a Office ID

I-2, I-2a Large Room ID

I-3, I-3a Small Room ID

R-1 Regulatory ID

I-4, I-4a Room Number Only

N-1, N-1a Notice Insert Letter

N-2, N-2a Notice Insert Tabloid

36 Copyright 2009 Jeffry Corbin Design Inc. and The University of Nebraska–Lincoln

All information provided and is property of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. http://fmp.unl.edu/

R-1 Regulatory ID

UN-LINCOLN

al Aid ce

STANDARDS MANUAL

University of Nebraska–Lincoln Wayfinding and Signage

90 Precedent Studies

STANDARDS MANUAL

University of Nebraska–Lincoln Wayfinding and Signage

1/9/09

Interior Graphic Standards

Anodized Aluminum Finish

Red MP58180

Fabricator is responsible for matching all colors and materials as specified and is required to provide Corbin and The University of Nebraska–Lincoln with color and material samples for approval.

CAUTION! CONSISTENT AND ACCURATE COLOR REPRODUCTION IN THIS DOCUMENT CANNOT BE ASSURED DUE TO THE LIMITATIONS OF COLOR COPYING TECHNOLOGY.

Dark Gray AKZO 499F2

White

The Coated Pantone Matching System®, 3M vinyl system, and Matthews Paint system is used for specifying signage color matches. (In the absence of actual sign material color chip reference sets, actual specified product color swatches should be referenced for color matching.)

Shown here are approximations of the primary signage background colors and supporting accent colors.

Actual color finishes on signage are to be matte or low luster (not shiny or glossy) and exclusively a premium acrylic polyurethane.

Signage paints produced by Matthews Paint Company are to be the standard reference.

Font: URWGrotesk Regular (Guide Messaging and Destination Names)

Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm Nn Oo Pp Qq Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv Ww Xx Yy Zz 0123456789 Font: URWGrotesk T Light Condensed (Building Identification)

Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm Nn Oo Pp Qq Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv Ww Xx Yy Zz 0123456789 Font: URWGrotesk T Bold Condensed (Level Identification)

Academic N (Campus Icon)

Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm Nn Oo Pp Qq Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv Ww Xx Yy Zz 0123456789 Font substitutions are not acceptable.

It is recommended that the Fabricator purchase these fonts.

109 East Front Suite 304 Traverse City, MI 49684 231 947.1236

Spacing % Wider-than-normal-spacing is required with tactile lettering.

Range Kerning % If default settings are possible for range kerning, it should be set to 30%-50% em for tactile/Braille applications.

These fonts can be purchased from: Adobe: www.fonts.com

Master Wayfinding Copyright 2009 JeffryProgram Corbin Design Inc. and The University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Refer to University Toolbox for use applications.

Braille Fabricator is responsible for accurately creating Grade 2 Braille in support of the tactile message.

37

Scale

Date

Description

Design Intent Drawing

Not to Scale

10.17.07 10.25.07

Presentation Revised

Color and Typography Specifications

All information provided and is property of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. http://fmp.unl.edu/

91 Precedent Studies STANDARDS MANUAL

University of Nebraska–Lincoln Wayfinding and Signage

1/9/09

Hanging Guidelines

G-1 Wall Guide Large

G-2 Wall Guide Small

G-3 Wall Guide Acrylic

71" from the top of the sign to the floor

D-1 Building Map / Directory

4"

4"

D-2 Faculty Listing

4"

60"

R-1 Regulatory ID

48"

I-1 Primary Dept ID

I-2 Large Rm ID

60" from the center of sign to the floor

4"

4"

4"

60"

I-4 Room Number

I-3 Small Rm ID

48"

I-5 Office ID

60" from the center of sign to the floor

Master Wayfinding Program

Scale

109 East Front Suite 304 Copyright 2009 Jeffry Corbin Design Inc. and The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Traverse City, MI 49684

Date

Description

Design Intent Drawing

Hanging Guidelines

39

231 947.1236

All information provided and is property of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. http://fmp.unl.edu/

92 Precedent Studies

STANDARDS MANUAL

University of Nebraska–Lincoln Wayfinding and Signage

1/9/09

G1 - Wall Guide - Large

Top View

Access to stainless steel tamper resistant pin.

1'-6"

1/8" (th.) aluminum header to match anodized aluminum with silk-screened Nebraska logo to match red and white. The header is mounted to an aluminum backer plate.

2 1/4" 1 1/2" 5/16"

1"

1'-5 1/2" 1'-10 3/4"

Nebraska Hall

.090" aluminum backer painted to match red.

Restrooms

APCO FullView sign with square ends and digitally printed insert.

Insert printed using UV inks with at minimum of 1200DPI. Font: URW Grotesk Regular, 1"

Classrooms 101-129

1/4" red rule line on insert to match the painted red.

Construction Mgmt Engineering Library

5/16" red rule line on insert to match the painted red.

Bottom panel to be acrylic painted to match silver with the copy masked and sprayed to match dark gray.

Font:URW Grotesk T Light Cond, 7/8" URW Grotesk T Bold Cond, 7/8"

5/16" 2 1/4" 7/8"

Side View

SCOTT ENGINEERING CENTER | LEVEL 1

Standard aluminum cap on top and bottom of FullView sign.

Front View 7 Destinations

Notes

Color Palette

This drawing is design-intent only. Fabricator is responsible for fabrication and engineering details not included in these drawings. Any changes in design, materials, fabrication method or other details must be approved by the client before final fabrication.

Anodized Aluminum Finish

Master Wayfinding Program

109 East Front Suite 304 Copyright 2009 Jeffry Corbin Design Inc. and The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Traverse City, MI 49684 231 947.1236

Sign System Part Number

Red MP58180

Dark Gray AKZO 499F2

White

APCO FullView FVS2018(V)MF

Scale

Date

Description

3" = 1'-0" (on an 8.5 x 11 sheet)

10.17.07 10.25.07

Presentation Revised

Design Intent Drawing

Wall Guide Large

41

G-1

All information provided and is property of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. http://fmp.unl.edu/

93 Precedent Studies STANDARDS MANUAL

University of Nebraska–Lincoln Wayfinding and Signage

1/9/09

G2 - Wall Guide - Small

Top View

Access to stainless steel tamper resistant pin.

1'-6"

1/8" (th.) aluminum header to match anodized aluminum with silk-screened Nebraska logo to match red and white. The header is mounted to an aluminum backer plate.

2 1/4" 1 1/2" 5/16"

1"

Engineering Library

.090" aluminum backer painted to match red.

APCO FullView sign with square ends and digitally printed insert.

Insert printed using UV inks with at minimum of 1200DPI. Font: URW Grotesk Regular, 1"

1'-3 1/4" 10"

Classroom 204

Red rule line on insert to match the painted red.

Restrooms

Standard aluminum cap on top and bottom of FullView sign.

5/16"

Side View

Bottom panel to be acrylic painted to match silver with the copy masked and sprayed to match dark gray.

Font:URW Grotesk T Light Cond, 7/8" URW Grotesk T Bold Cond, 7/8"

NEBRASKA HALL | LEVEL 2

2 1/4" 7/8"

Front View 4 Destinations

Notes

Color Palette

This drawing is design-intent only. Fabricator is responsible for fabrication and engineering details not included in these drawings. Any changes in design, materials, fabrication method or other details must be approved by the client before final fabrication.

Anodized Aluminum Finish

Master Wayfinding Program

109 East Front Suite 304 Copyright 2009 Jeffry Corbin Design Inc. and The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Traverse City, MI 49684 231 947.1236

Sign System Part Number

Red MP58180

Dark Gray AKZO 499F2

White

APCO FullView FVS12518(V)MF

Scale

Date

Description

3" = 1'-0" (on an 8.5 x 11 sheet)

10.17.07 10.25.07

Presentation Revised

Design Intent Drawing

Wall Guide Small

42

G-2

All information provided and is property of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. http://fmp.unl.edu/

94 Precedent Studies

STANDARDS MANUAL

University of Nebraska–Lincoln Wayfinding and Signage

1/9/09

I2, I2a - Room Identifiers - Large

Access to stainless steel tamper resistant pin.

Top View

9"

1/8" (th.) aluminum header to match anodized aluminum. The header is mounted to an aluminum backer plate.

1 1/8" 5/16"

Mechanical Engineering Auditorium

3/4"

2 1/2" 1'-5/8" 11"

B

1 1/2"

.090" aluminum backer painted to match red.

Insert size: 8.5" x 11" APCO FullView sign with square ends and digitally printed insert.

Insert printed using UV inks with at minimum of 1200DPI. Paper background to match light gray with simulated Nebraska logo watermark behind the copy.

Font: URW Grotesk Regular, 3/4", 1 1/2" 5/16" rule line silk-screened on first surface of lens to match red.

5/16"

1009

2 1/4"

Bottom ADA panel to be photopolymer with raised graphics and grade 2 Braille.

Background painted to match silver with the raised copy top coated to match dark gray.

Font: URW Grotesk T Bold Cond., 7/8"

N H1009

Side View

Front View I-2

Mechanical Engineering Auditorium

B

Side View

Notifier bar: Made of solid extruded aluminum and machined rollers. It adjusts automatically to grip paper or card stock up to 1/64" thick.

Bar to match anodized aluminum.

1009

Front View I-2a

N H1009

Temporary paper insert (provided by others).

Slide to remove

Notes

Color Palette

This drawing is design-intent only. Fabricator is responsible for fabrication and engineering details not included in these drawings. Any changes in design, materials, fabrication method or other details must be approved by the client before final fabrication.

Anodized Aluminum Finish

Master Wayfinding Program

109 East Front Suite 304 Copyright 2009 Jeffry Corbin Design Inc. and The University Traverse City,ofMINebraska–Lincoln 49684 231 947.1236

Sign System Part Number

Red MP58180

Dark Gray AKZO 499F2

Light Gray

APCO FullView FVS1185(V)MF

Scale

Date

Description

3" = 1'-0" (on an 8.5 x 11 sheet)

10.17.07 10.25.07

Presentation Revised

Design Intent Drawing

Large Room ID

45

I-2, I-2a

All information provided and is property of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. http://fmp.unl.edu/

95 Precedent Studies STANDARDS MANUAL

University of Nebraska–Lincoln Wayfinding and Signage

1/9/09

I4, I4a - Room Numbers

Top View

8 1/2"

.090" aluminum backer painted to match red. Mounted to the wall using VHB/Silicone as needed.

Logo silk-screened to match white.

6"

3/8" (th.) acrylic with ADA panel mounted to the face. ADA panel to be photopolymer with raised graphics and grade 2 Braille.

Background painted to match anodized aluminum with the raised copy top coated to match dark gray.

Sign mounted to backer.

Font: URW Grotesk T Bold Cond., 7/8"

1011

1 1/2" Logo

2 1/2"

N H1009

Side View

Front View

Notifier bar: Made of solid extruded aluminum and machined rollers. It adjusts automatically to grip paper or card stock up to 1/64" thick.

Painted to match anodized aluminum.

1011 N H1009

3/4" 1/2"

Side View

Front View I-4a

Notes

Slide to remove

Classroom Change Time:

10:15

Date:

1/12/08

New Room:

NH 1230

Color Palette

This drawing is design-intent only. Fabricator is responsible for fabrication and engineering details not included in these drawings. Any changes in design, materials, fabrication method or other details must be approved by the client before final fabrication.

Anodized Aluminum Finish

Master Wayfinding Program

109 East Front Suite 304 Copyright 2009 Jeffry Corbin Design Inc. and The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Traverse City, MI 49684 231 947.1236

Temporary paper insert (provided by others).

Sign System Part Number

Red MP58180

Dark Gray AKZO 499F2

Light Gray

Scale

Date

Description

3" = 1'-0" (on an 8.5 x 11 sheet)

10.17.07 10.25.07

Presentation Revised

Custom Acrylic Design Intent Drawing

Room Number Only

47

I-4, I-4a

All information provided and is property of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. http://fmp.unl.edu/

96 Precedent Studies

STANDARDS MANUAL

University of Nebraska–Lincoln Wayfinding and Signage

1/9/09

R1 - Regulatory Identifiers

Top View Access to stainless steel tamper resistant pin.

8 1/2"

APCO FullView sign with square ends and digitally printed insert.

Insert printed using UV inks with at minimum of 1200DPI. Paper background to match dark gray with white graphics.

5 1/2" 10 1/8" 10"

5/16" rule line silk-screened on first surface of lens to match red.

5/16"

WOMEN

2 1/4"

Bottom ADA panel to be photopolymer with raised graphics and grade 2 Braille.

Background painted to match silver with the raised copy top coated to match dark gray.

Font: URW Grotesk Bold Cond., 7/8"

W OMEN

Side View

Front View

Other Sign Face Layouts (reduced 75%)

MEN

RESTROOM

STAIRS

MEN

MEN

MEN

Front View

Notes

Color Palette

This drawing is design-intent only. Fabricator is responsible for fabrication and engineering details not included in these drawings. Any changes in design, materials, fabrication method or other details must be approved by the client before final fabrication.

Anodized Aluminum Finish

Master Wayfinding Program

109 East Front Suite 304 Copyright 2009 Jeffry Corbin Design Inc. and The University Traverse City,ofMINebraska–Lincoln 49684 231 947.1236

Sign System Part Number

Red MP58180

Dark Gray AKZO 499F2

White

APCO FullView FVS1085(V)MF

Scale

Date

Description

3" = 1'-0" (on an 8.5 x 11 sheet)

10.17.07 10.25.07

Presentation Revised

Design Intent Drawing

Regulatory ID Various Layouts

49

R-1

All information provided and is property of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. http://fmp.unl.edu/

97 Precedent Studies STANDARDS MANUAL

University of Nebraska–Lincoln Wayfinding and Signage

1/9/09

D1 - Building Directory

Top View

3'-6"

2 3/4"

3'-5 1/4"

4 1/2"

Custom fabricated aluminum header (out 1/8" (th.) alum.) painted to match silver frame. "N" logo silk-screened to match red and white.

3"

K R O W T R A

Aluminum reveal painted to match red.

NEBRASKA HALL LEVEL 1

M136

M134

M132

M130

M128

M126 M124

Destination

M122 M120

M121

M137

M135

M135

3'-1 1/2"

M135 M135

2'-8" M135

LE

M135

P M A

M135 M135

M135

M135 M135 M135 M135 M135 M135

Room

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

lskfljlkjslkfjlskjlskfjlkj

M123

S Side View

Front View

Notes

Cabinet to match APCO Visuline cabinet with square frame (SD) and side hinge. Visuline’s housing is constructed of heavy extruded aluminum. The door, also of aluminum, has a 1/4" (th.) clear tempered glass that protects the large format graphics.

APCO Concealed Lock.

Digitally printed insert using UV inks and paper at minimum of 1200DPI.

Color Palette

This drawing is design-intent only. Fabricator is responsible for fabrication and engineering details not included in these drawings. Any changes in design, materials, fabrication method or other details must be approved by the client before final fabrication.

Anodized Aluminum Finish

Master Wayfinding Program

109 East Front Suite 304 Copyright 2009 Jeffry Corbin Design Inc. and The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Traverse City, MI 49684 231 947.1236

Sign System Part Number

Red MP58180

Dark Gray AKZO 499F2

White

APCO Visuline 2300.3GCMF

Scale

Date

Description

1 1/2" = 1'-0" (on an 8.5 x 11 sheet)

10.17.07 10.25.07

Presentation Revised

Design Intent Drawing

Building Map/ Directory

50

D-1

All information provided and is property of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. http://fmp.unl.edu/

98 Precedent Studies

Orientation Signage Sign Type E: Directory

ion and Use

DIRECTORY

1

ories are used in es where a maximum er of directory listings stination information ired. This type of ory may be updated.

1

Architectural Studio Interior Design Studio Faculty Offices Conference Room Painting Studio Drawing Studio Drawing Studio Design Studio

3 1010 1040 1000 1070 1080 1090 1091 1113

2 Desktop Publishing Forums Computer Art Photography Studio Ceramics Studio Ceramics Kiln Glass Studio Sculpture Studio Commercial Design Studio Jewelry Studio

2

Orientation College of Signage Arts, Sciences,

Signand Type E.1: Small Directory Letters

2017 2040 2064 2165 2185 2186 2190 2192 0051 0065

4

and Use

l Associates

Dire ct o ry

5'-0" to center of sign

nce: ation Drawings in tandards Manual for of sign construction essage layout.

Environmental Interpretive Center CL

s are used in where a small f directory listings nation information d. This type of may be updated.

College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters

Auditorium and Quiet Room Sign Face Classrooms

116, 118, 119

Restrooms

University of Michigan - Dearborn Dearborn, Michigan

Offices

Typical Location

211

125, 127, 129, 130

Bird Banding Lab

128

Environmental Interpretive Cen

D i r e ctor y

99 Precedent Studies

Identification Signage

Function and Use Used to identify permanent classrooms and offices.

1043 Identification Signage Sign Type A1: Room Identification - Permanent

Function and Use Used to identify permanent rooms with identifying names that require clear identification. This identification to be utilized when room name and function will not be altered. i.e. coffee room, copy room.

1043

UM-DEARBORN

Sign Type A: Room Identification

ROOM NAME Reference: Fabrication Drawings in Sign Standards Manual for details of sign construction and message layout.

Sign Face

1043

1043

5'-0" to top of sign

d

Typical Locati

do

University of Michigan - Dearborn Dearborn, Michigan

COPY ROOM

COFFEE ROOM

COPY RO

5'-0" to top of sign

Mitchell Associates Š 2001

Reference: Fabrication Drawings in Sign Standards Manual for details of sign construction and message layout.

Sign Face Mitchell Associates University Michigan of - Dearborn All information provided and is property of theofUniversity Michigan - Dearborn Š 2001 Dearborn, Michigan

Typical Locati

100 Precedent Studies

Identification Signage Sign Type A2: Rest Room Identification

Function and Use Used as an identification sign.

1043T Restroom

MEN

2" from door frame

Reference: Fabrication Drawings in Sign Standards Manual for details of sign construction and message layout.

Sign Face Mitchell Associates Š 2001

5'-0" to top of sign

WOMEN

1043

Restroom

Typical Location

University of Michigan - Dearborn Dearborn, Michigan

All information provided and is property of the University of Michigan - Dearborn

18

101 Precedent Studies

Directional Signage Sign Type D: Directional

Fl oo r

tal

Architecture Studio

201

Interior Design Studio

204 205A-F

Painting Studio

209

Drawing Studio

211

CL

Faculty Offices

for on All information provided and is property of the University of Michigan - Dearborn

Sign Face

Typi

“If a message is too big or too visually loud, if it overwhelms and negates other things such as the feeling of architectural materials, the play of light, reflections, the texture of surfaces, transparency, distant views, and a myriad of other environmental elements, including the presence and contribution of art or even the presence of other people, then the message is not quite right.�

- Ivan Chermayeff

S

103

SIGNAGE DESIGN

104 Signage Design

Directory The one document that all the individual studies wanted to find was a directory. They felt that if they at least had a directory it would have cut their time down significantly, and they wouldn’t have felt as anxious and frustrated as they did.

After reflecting on the studies, I sat down and chose to tackle one building to start. Since I was most familiar with Marvin Hall, which was the one I chose. I figured out that having just one directory was not enough because many people would not want to travel back to the same spot every time.

So after evaluating the building one more time and carefully looking into the scenario videos to see where individuals would typically tend to migrate towards when confused, lost, or anxious, I decided that there needed to be a directory close to each entrance and also at the stairwell locations.

People always seemed to go back towards the stairs as a grounding point, and it only makes sense to have them at the entry points to help give the user a sense of direction as soon as they enter the building.

I found that keeping the sign as simple as possible is clearly the best way to go. The less people have to read the more they will understand, taking us back to Mies’ quote of “less is more”. This holds to be an extremely valuable mindset when it comes to designing signage.

The content of the directory was based off of what the user would use most and what kind of “nodes” would help orient themselves. With this I found that the stairs, restrooms, elevators, and room numbers were the key elements for the directory. After this decision was made the next issue to tackle was the layout of not only the sign but how the maps could be best read. The design of the sign was made so that all aspects could be read easily and so that the user when looking at it, straight ahead is pointing up, regardless of which way north was. I wanted to ensure that the numbers for each room/ space on the sign were placed on the side of the door in which it would be located next to the actual door. Also removing all clutter such as linework for walls, doors, windows, etc. helps make the maps a much more legible system. Lastly, for each level directory, that specific level which the map is placed on will be bolder than the other 3 three levels to make it stand out.

*All signage follows both KU Standards and ADA Standards for signage and wayfinding

114

208 Accessible Entrance

Stairs

Women’s Restroom (2nd & 4th Floors)

Men’s Restroom (1st & 3rd Floors)

106

Level Directory Locations

107 Elevator Location

109

118

You Are Here

116

204

N

111

115

305

301

403

103

101

222

223

303

200

112

113

205

216

1

216 206

YOU ARE HERE

306

317

405

401

Access to Art & Design Building

N

309 214

308

317

407

417

307

210

213

209

212

2 211

310

315

415

N

311

312

314

414

3 313

409

413 416

N

410

411

4

302

402

102

Emergency Services

317C

104 210 112 200 200 205 200 104 302 200D 415 206 224 104 222B

317 402 104 411 104 205B 405D 105 405B

104 211 405C 222 307 200H 317A 200C 205D 317B 104 200E

206 200A 417 206 200B 418

410 200G 311 205 317 109

206 302 200 312 416 104 200 102

206 200 200 317 205 205 222 405 109 214 305

Lawrence Police -- (785) 864-5900 EHS Emergency OnCall Pager (24 hrs/day, 7 days/week) -- (785) 838-7421 After Hours/Weekend Emergency Maintenance -- (785) 864-5900

White, Stacey

W-Z

Sain, David Sander, Dennis Sanguinetti, Paola Sato, Yosi Schweppe, Derrick Seba, Barb Selby, Michael Shelton, Josh Smalley, Marcy Spurlock, Jody Spreckelmeyer, Kent Swann, Mike Thomas, Greg Trefrey, John Troyer, Henry

S-V

Owens, Pat Padget, Steve Parks, David Patterson, Anne Pauly, Matt Raines, Samantha Rashid, Mahbub Rockhill, Dan Rolf, Daniel

N-R

Keal, Joe Kraus, Chad L’Heureux, Marie Alice Lawson, Bret Lesnikowski, Wojciech Linn, Charles Mayo, Jim McAlister, Suzanne McCown, Kate McClure, Kirk Meadows, Ted Muckey, Cynthia

K-M

Gaunt, John Gore, Nils Grabow, Steve Hardman, Amy Hestowski, Andrea Johnson, Bonnie

G-J

Diaz, Rene Diaz Moore, Keith Dunning, Anne Elliot, Gera Engelhart, Phillip Forque, Richard

D-F

Baker, Patti Black, Alan Carpenter, Tad Carswell, Bill Chang, Jae Conrad, Ken Copt, Louis Criss, Shannon

A-C

Dean’s Office Architecture Department Design Department Urban Planning Department Admissions (Architecture) Admissions (Design-undergrad) Architectural Computing Architecture Resource Center Architecture Shop Conference Room Thomas Galloway Room

General Offices

Building Directory

marvin directory 418 224

104 105

Signage Design

105

106 Signage Design

Identification Signage Obviously the most important signage within a system has to be the identifiers, and the reason for this is that they tell the user what lies within that space. All of the other signs in the system wouldn’t do you any good if at the destination points there weren’t signs. So it is imperative that the signs be properly labeled, consistent with all other signage, placement is correct, and follows the CURRENT code system. The more clear and concise the sign, the easier it is for the viewer to understand. All identifiers should have tactile lettering and braille with proper spacing and sizing so those who have visual impairments are able to locate where they are. Examples of identifiers for Marvin Hall are located on pages 104-107.

Directional Signage While directional signage may be important in some buildings it is not always necessary. Depending on how complex the building is, directional signage can sometimes be a moot point in navigating a building. This is something I found with Marvin Hall because the layout is so simple that everyone felt that a directory would do just find. Now in other buildings like the Art & Design building, it is almost ideal to have directional signage to compensate for the confusion of hallways, rooms within rooms, and the split level. When the directional signage is necessary then it needs to very simple and easy to read. The text placement is key, zones when applicable so the use of arrows can be minimized, make sure there is enough separation between lines so it is clear to the viewer which direction they need to go. An example of a Marvin Hall system to implement is located on page 108.

107 Signage Design

Women

Men

Accessible Restroom Signs

Women

Men

Restroom Signs *All signage follows both KU Standards and ADA Standards for signage and wayfinding

108 Signage Design

Restroom Unisex Restroom Sign

Elevator Sign

Exit Sign

Stairs Stair Sign

109 Signage Design

Room Identifier w/ Name

Room Identifier w/ Name

Room Identifier

110 Signage Design

401 - 407 415 - 420 Hatch Reading Room 409 - 414

MARVIN HALL Directional Signage

LEVEL 2

112

“Architect’s are primarily charged with interpreting the physical needs and emotional aspirations of society through the medium of a building. To remain relevant we must be conscientious observers of society rather than of our own navels.”

- Sean Godsell

A DES

113

WHAT ARE WE SIGNING FOR?

114 What are we Designing for?

There is a discovery to be made through this study of wayfinding and signage.

I believe it has to do with the study of people and the designers who build for us. Are designers really taking the consideration of the user into their designs? As designers most of us state that we are designing for people, but have we really studied people closely enough to understand what an environment should consist of? We have a responsibility as designers and our focus is not specific to just form, space and detailing; it is a much larger commitment dealing with social, political and the environmental context that is the soul of our designs. We need to educate ourselves on people before we can truly understand and design something that is used, maintained and admired by people.

To narrow the topic slightly, focusing on University design and how designers take into consideration the purpose of the environment. A University is more-less a sanctuary for learning, where we should allow the student to place all their focus on the education. As designers, we may not realize how we impact an individual through their daily life experiences. We take the student and put them into an environment which is already overwhelming, with their studies, and their anxiety levels are heightened on a daily basis through deadlines, mass amounts of people, limited question asking and not being able to understand topics of study, and on top of that expect them to navigate the environment.

We haven’t necessarily done the best job with navigating the user through designs. As a first time user to the space, many individuals become confused, lost, anxious, and frustrated because they have difficulty locating destinations. This is not the fault of the user; it is the fault of the designer and those who maintain the environment. Whether the design of the environment is simple or not, a simple solution to making it even simpler is a well put together wayfinding system. Unfortunately this is an afterthought in most cases. Some say it cost too much money, people adjust over time to the space, the system is always changing so it’s hard to maintain the system, etc. These are all excuses to why we can’t provide a better standard of public know-how and safety. We look at what the bare minimum requires us to do and that is what we do unfortunately.

The current standards and policies we have are not enough.

REFER

117

RENCES

118 References

1. “Mediabyjohn.com - Web and Graphic Design - Phoenix, Arizona” The Multimedia Portfolio of John Williamson. <http://www.mediabyjohn. com/>.

2. “KBD Home Page Graphic Design Signage Wayfinding.” KBD Home Page Graphic Design Signage Wayfinding. <http://www.kellybrandondesign. com/>.

3. “UB School of Architecture and Planning.” UB School of Architecture and Planning. 20 Dec. 2012 <http://www.ap.buffalo.edu/>.

4. Barker, Peter, and June Fraser. Sign Design Guide: A Guide to Inclusive Signage. London: JMU, 2000. Print.

5. “Signage Products.” Signage, Wayfinding and Sign Systems. <http:// www.wmwhiteley.com/>.

6. “AIGA | the professional association for design.” AIGA | the professional association for design. <http://www.aiga.org/>.

7. “Azusa Pacific University is a leading Christian college.” A Top Christian College in Southern California. <http://www.apu.edu/>.

8. Calori, Chris. Signage and wayfinding design: A complete guide to creating environmental graphic design systems. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley, 2007.

9. “Corbin Design | The Wayfinding Experts: Wayfinding Analysis and Signage System Design Consultants.” Corbin Design | The Wayfinding Experts: Wayfinding Analysis and Signage System Design Consultants. <http://www.corbindesign.com/>.

10. “ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNAGE.” Environmental visualcomm.com/Environmental-Signage.html>.

Signage.

<http://

119 References

11. “Fravert Wayfinding - Signage Design & Wayfinding.” Fravert Wayfinding - Signage Design & Wayfinding. <http://fravertwayfinding.com/>.

12. “Harvard Graduate School of Design - Homepage.” Harvard Graduate School of Design - Homepage. <http://www.gsd.harvard.edu/>.

13. “High Quality LED Signs from Directional Systems.” Directional Systems. <http://www.directionalsystems.com/>.

14. “Interior Signage Policy & Procedure.” Facilities Management & Planning. <http://fmp.unl.edu/policies/interior-signage-policy-procedure>.

15. “Is your workplace prepared for an Emergency Evacuation?” Welcome to Safetymap.com. <http://www.safetymap.com/>.

16. “Landplan Engineering, P. A.” Kansas University Wayfinding System. <http://www.landplan-pa.com/ku-wayfinding-system.html>.

17. Sign design: Environmental graphics. New York: PBC Graphic Details, 1992.

18. Smitshuijzen, Edo. Signage design manual. Baden: Lars Müller, 2007.

19. Uebele, Andreas. Signage systems & information graphics: A professional sourcebook. New York: Thames & Hudson, 2007.

20. “UM-Dearborn Home: UM-Dearborn Home.” UM-Dearborn Home: UMDearborn Home. <http://www.umd.umich.edu/>.

21. “Wayfinding.” YouTube. 27 Oct. 2009. YouTube. <http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=80ypu63wwv8>.