Project 2: Way-finding System Guidelines The Overthinkers Hania Afifi Racine Burney Billur Tashkandi
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Table of Contents
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Introduction
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Overview Signage Type and Purpose Braille Signage Type and Purpose Signage Placement Rationale
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Design Elements Color Palette Material Palette Typography Braille Iconography
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Signage Family Optimum Viewing Heights CAAD Directories Braille Directories Identification Signage
Technical Specifications Directory and Signage Measurements Braille Signage Measurements
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Mock up Designs Braille Mock Ups Directory and Signage Mock Ups
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Way-finding System Guidelines
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Introduction
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Way-finding System Guidelines
Introduction Background
Issue Were multiple issues that we found with The aim of this project is to design a the way finding system at CAAD. In terms way finding system for the College of of special needs requirements, the building Architecture, Art, and Design (CAAD) at the currently has ramps, elevators, and special American University of Sharjah (AUS) in order needs bathrooms, but there are still issues to enhance the experience and orientation in the way finding system such as the lack of visitors, students, faculty, and staff. of signs and maps within the existing infrastructure. Navigating around offices and We began with an initial site analysis different studio spaces would be difficult due to understand the flow of visitors and to the lack of directions and maps; this issue directions around building. Upon the is also evident in the navigation around the first analysis, we concluded that the lab area and finding different facilities such typical visitors of the building were as bathrooms, computer rooms, storage students, professors, staff, and workers. rooms, and others. Generally, different groups of people are interested in different things. Students and professors are interested in the classrooms, auditoriums, studio areas, offices. Staff are interested in staff rooms, labs, storage rooms, and cleaning rooms. Visiting lecturers look to the administration before going to the auditorium or gallery spaces.
Introduction
Concept
Aim
Our concept focuses on the use of minimalism that incorporates colors and oneline illustrations to create an easy-to-use way finding system. The minimalist use of colors allows for a lack of distractions around the building so that students can focus on their work without having dominating colors around them.
• Improve navigation format by designing a system with signs that lead to different areas. • Create maps and directories for the main entrance and the elevators to indicate where all important spaces are. • Create an inclusive way finding system for visually impaired visitors.
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Way-finding System Guidelines
Signage Types and Purpose
Sign number and name
Pillar and room label (1)
Directories (2)
Drop Down Sign (3)
Sign type
Identification Signage
Informational Signage
Directional Signage
Purpose
This type of sign is used to help visitors identify where they are and whether they have arrived at their destinations.
This category allows visitors to identify what facilities are available to them in the building and help them plan their way to their destinations.
Visitors using directional signage can ensure that they are heading in the right direction by consulting the drop down signs and following the arrows towards the direction they need to go.
Example Location
AD–1 columns
Elevators Laboratory entrances CAAD entrance
Corridor from AD–1 leading to AD–2
Introduction
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Way-finding System Guidelines
Signage Placement Rationale Upon inspection we found that the most common routes are: • First and second floor hallways connecting AD1 and AD2 buildings. • Stairwell connecting all three floors in AD2. • Staircase connecting AD1 first and second floor.
• The uncommon routes are: • AD1 Labs (Except for Seniors • Foundations Area (Except for foundation students).
Introduction
Floor #0
Floor #1
Floor #2
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Way-finding System Guidelines
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Design Elements
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Way-finding System Guidelines
Color Palette Due to the multiple aspects we are working with, such as the directories and the signs, the color scheme for our way finding system had to be simpler instead of a huge spectrum of colors that would confuse the viewer.
Visual communication C =26
M =80
Y =13
K =00
Multimedia design C =17
M =51
Y =08
M =29
Y =05
Administration / Offices C =01
M =36
Y =87
K =00
Foundations K =00
Design management C =09
We chose three main colors: two colors representing each department (Architecture and Design) along with one neutral color for multi-department spaces such as computer labs and the foundation area as well as the pictograms like bathrooms and stairs.
K =00
C =01
M =23
Y =55
M =13
Architecture C =91
M =76
Y =02
K =00
Interior Design K =00
Pictogram C =00
When indicating the different majors we decided instead of using a different color, to continue with the same color and created different shades of it. This will essentially help the viewer understand that these majors are under a specific department.
C =50
M =41
Y =01
K =00
Y =01
K =00
Laboratory Y =32
K =00
C =33
M =28
Example
Design Elements
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Way-finding System Guidelines
Materials Palette After researching the most suitable materials that could be used for the way finding system, we aimed to use materials that would be more durable and long-lasting. For the signs that are not kept on walls, columns, or the ground, we would use acrylic boards for information with the aluminum rods for support.
As for the information placed on the ground, thermoplastic paint will be used as it can withstand the heat conditions when the facility is not in use so it does not rub off easily. As for the text on the acrylic boards, the walls, and the pillars, digital lamination will be used. Although it is quite expensive, the paint can last for over 20 years.
Design Elements
Aluminium
Acrylic
Digital Lamination
Thermoplastic paint
Steel
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Way-finding System Guidelines
Typography When evaluating the typeface we want to use, we took multiple factors into consideration. The typeface we chose had to be legible from all angles, meaning we had to use something that was plain and functional that would blend in with the architectural context without the use of ornamentation.
A typeface with thin strokes is important as not to not take up space unnecessarily, and so the use of sans serif fonts would be beneficial to the way finding system. The fonts being used for the way finding system are Poppins for headings and Trade Gothic for subheadings.
Design Elements
Poppins
Trade Gothic
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
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
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 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 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
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 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 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
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Way-finding System Guidelines
Braille Unified English Braille (UEB) is used as a standard for Braille to avoid misinterpretations. The UEB standard has been used in this way finding system for accesibility and all the directories and signs that use Braille are written in UEB. Any work in braille mentioned will be extruding 0.5cm above the material used.
Design Elements
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Way-finding System Guidelines
Iconography For the iconography, we implemented the use of pictograms and illustrations. While the pictograms were designed to identify certain areas that are usually represented with imagery in maps, the illustrations were created to represent the different majors in CAAD along with some of the areas that people visit most often like the labs or administration.
Pictogram Stairs
Exit
Bathroom
Elevators
Electricity
Storage
Design Elements
Illustration Interior Design
Laboratory
Design Management
Print Lab
Architecture
Administration/Office
Visual Communication/ Multimedia Design
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Way-finding System Guidelines
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Signage Family
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Way-finding System Guidelines
Directories There are different types of directories around CAAD to help visitors find their way around the building. All directories, excluding braille, are painted or digitally laminated on the wall. The main entrance directory gives visitors an introduction on what to expect once they enter CAAD. By the elevators, the directories
are slightly more detailed to help a visitor around the area. There are also directories at the back entrance in the foundation area as many people enter from there, and directories around CAAD labs to show students and visitors what facilities are available to them.
Signage Family
Main Entrance
Foundation Back Entrance
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Way-finding System Guidelines
Laboratory
Signage Family
Elevator
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Way-finding System Guidelines
Braille Directories In terms of braille directories, there is a stand on the main entrance that presents a tactical map as shown in the diagrams. The black lines and circles would extrude 0.5cm to allow a visually impaired person to understand how the map works. On the directory at the main entrance are the words, “Welcome to CAAD. For assistance, go to admin at AD2 224.” and on
each set of stairs is a floor plan to help visitors navigate themselves and find their way around the area. On the handrail is an extruding text indicating which floor the stairs lead to. There is also a tactile pavement in the building around the floors to help guide visually impaired visitors.
Signage Family
Main Entrance Directory
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Way-finding System Guidelines
Handrail Indicators
Tactile Pavement
Stair Directories
Floor #2
Floor #1
Floor #0
Signage Family
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Way-finding System Guidelines
Identification Signage Hallway between AD–1 and AD–2
Room Label
Signage Family
Pillar
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Way-finding System Guidelines
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Technical Specifications
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Way-finding System Guidelines
Measurements Pillar
Drop Down Sign
Room label
Elevator Directory
Technical Specifications
Main Entrance Directory
Lab Directory
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Way-finding System Guidelines
Tactile Pavement
Stairs Directory (Braille)
Technical Specifications
Main Entrance Directory (Braille)
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Way-finding System Guidelines
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Mock Up Designs
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Way-finding System Guidelines
Tactile Pavement
Mock Up Designs
Stairs Directory (Braille)
Main Entrance Directory (Braille)
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Way-finding System Guidelines
Main Entrance Directory
Bathroom Staircase in AD–2
Mock Up Designs
CAAD Labs Directory
Hallway between AD–1 and AD–2
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Way-finding System Guidelines
Elevator View
Mock Up Designs
Foundation Class
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Professor Frederic Gmeiner
Spring 2021
VIS 342