2.1 What is Wayfinding?

Subconsciously or not, we make travel decisions based on location, changes in direction, and recognition. These decisions are informed by the legibility of the built environment, the availability of information, and our learned experience.

Our decisions are made subconsciously in places we know well, leading to easy navigation. In places we recognize only generally, such as a library or a train station, we may require additional information to complete our trip, especially if we are not frequent visitors. In places we do not know at all, such as a new city, wayfinding can become a very conscious activity where we actively look for physical clues and explicit information. These problems are normally just a temporary inconvenience, but being disoriented or lost can be a stressful experience leading to missed opportunities, wasted time, or even negative memories.

When we are new to an area, we instinctively look for features that help us organize and structure the place. Humans possess evolved survival skills, like rapid pattern recognition, that allow us to focus on shapes and colors before we see details. These instincts mean we will recognize landmarks, viable travel routes, and edges first, and we then combine these with memorable details such as the decorative style of a neighborhood or the activity in a public square. Understanding how we recognize and process physical factors allows us to design information where it is absent or weak.

Based on research in several areas of science, including cognition and psychology, as well as the process of design development, several principles for wayfinding information have been established. While wording varies between references, core design principles can be summarized as follows: