The story behind the system westermarkt Stefanija Najdovska dam singel area
Backround and research
I realized I’m quite obsessed with signs and visual language, maps, guides, grids and cities. I collect and make images, and various kinds of visual representation, and get excited finding my own way through an unknown city or area. I am also aware that not many people are like me. How do you find your way in a space you do not know and determine reference points?
Amsterdam as my starting point
Orientation by train stations c
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Elevated view z Original view
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Original view Legend:
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Original view
Looking:
Legend:
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train stations axis
south-west
north-west
north
north-east
south-east
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Orientation by squares
Legend:
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wal
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biki
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Legend: squares (pleins) axis walking zone walking/biking zone biking zone biking/driving zone driving zone
Orientation by areas
westermarkt dam singel area leidse square museum square vondel park
central station nieuwmarkt waterlooplein artis zoo
tropical museum weesperplein weteringcircuit albert cuyp
Orientation with Walkit ERDAM - centra AM ST l st a re t io a u nq s be used firstly by tourists and nie new m a uw d -
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Walkit is meant to comers. It w t is very easy to understand and gives the user basic orientation, similar to a compass. No more turning big maps, trying to figure out the direction - the magnetised sheet will turn according to north, showing the right position of the reference areas. Because of this unique characteristic and the small size, users are free to walk around and make their own route intuitively. Easy to produce and use, walkit can be customised for nearly every city world-wide. The packaging also includes an empty street map of the city, that can be used as a travel diary, making walkit the perfect souvenir. ma rk
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Big thanks to Roelof ‘t Hooft for helping me figure out the system; Bas van Beek, Lena Shafir, Krijn Christiaansen, Cathelijne Montens and Jeroen Kramer for coaching; Mediamatic for printing; Harrison Gorman for all the advices and help; Amanda van Slooten for helping me contact companies; and Tom Tjon-A-Loi for driving me to them. Amsterdam 2010