Shiho Asada MAID Wayfinding Report

MAID | Autumn term 2014 tutor: Beth Shepherd University of Reading Department of Typography and Graphic Communication MA Information Design 2014 – 15 Shiho Asada

project report

Wayfinding

1

Table of Contents

Brief 3 Project Brief

Discovery

Transforming

Making

5 1. The chosen space

17 1. Mood board

27 1. Concept of the project

6 2. Research on Regent’s Park

18 2. Case study: Iron signage

28 2. Visual outcomes

6 a. Key features

19 3. Maps in parks

28 a. Map

7 b. Existing signage

20 4. Developing the visual idea

29 b. Pictograms

8 c. Users

20 a. Map

30 c. Sign graphics

9 d. Issues and conclusions

21 b. Pictograms

31 d. Finger pole

22 c. Typeface

32 3. Signage family

23 d. Signage

33 4. Placement of the signs

from the research

10 3. Mental maps 11 4. Analyse the park based on The Image of the City 11 a. Contents of the book 12 b. Analysis of the structure

of the park

13 5. User personas 14 6. User journey 15 7. Case study: Wayfinding in natural landscape 15 8. Conclusion

2

34 5. User journey

Project brief Wayfinding Autumn term 2014 tutor: Beth Shepherd aims

task

deliver

‣‣ To understand how people navigate

You will have one environment to work

Deliverable should include any of the

physical environments, and ways to help

with: the Regent’s park in London. You

following that are relevant to your

them.

might decide to look at one part of the

proposal:

‣‣ To understand how wayfinding

park.

‣‣ A document explaining your scheme:

information interacts with other

your naming policy, signing scheme (ie,

environmental factors to make a legible

We will follow a three stage creative

the combination of different sign or map

place.

process:

types), and the other components or

‣‣ To consider how new technology can

‣‣ Discovery – analysing your chosen

services you have designed or want to be

be used in wayfinding.

environment. (Your group work so far also

included.

‣‣ To design a wayfinding system with

sits within the discovery phase.)

‣‣ A map – you might show how your

multiple purposes:

‣‣ Transforming – developing alternative

chosen place fits into its wider context,

‣‣ To meet the needs of different users

creative ideas.

as well as a detailed version to help

‣‣ Where appropriate, to encourage the

‣‣ Making – demonstrating your chosen

people find their destination. If you chose

use of ecologically friendly transport:

scheme, through examples of maps,

a very detailed mapping style, work

walking, cycling, other…

signs, landmarks, or other interventions

up enough of it to artwork standard to

in the environment.

demonstrate how you will treat the detail. ‣‣ A sign design system. ‣‣ Sketches showing environmental changes you suggest to make your chosen place easier to navigate. ‣‣ Sketches showing construction ideas for freestanding signs or landmarks. It would be useful to present your project using a storyboard.

3

contents

Discovery

1. The chosen space 2. Research on Regent’s Park a. Key features b. Existing signage c. Users d. Issues and conclusions from the research 3. Mental maps 4. Analyse the park based on The Image of the City a. Contents of the book b. Analysis of the structure of the park 5. User personas 6. User journey 7. Case study: Wayfinding in natural landscape 8. Conclusion

4

Discovery Stage

1. The chosen space: Regent’s Park Regent’s Park, designed by John Nash, covers 395 acres and includes Queen Mary’s Gardens which features more than 12,000 roses of 400 varieties.

The park also contains the sport facilities, the Open Air Theatre, London Zoo and Primrose Hill, which attract a large number of tourists.

Maps between 1940s and 60s from Twyman’s session

Official image of Regent’s Park

5

Discovery Stage

2. Research on Regent’s Park We conducted fieldwork on the Regent’s Park. The purposes of the research were analysing the features and users of the park and clarifying the problems.

The methodology was walking around the park with paying attention on how users make choose the routes, observing the users and interviewing some users. a. Key features The park consists of the following elements: broad and narrow paths, statues / sculptures, facilities, benches, gates, trees/flowers and user-desired lines.

Observations ‣‣ The park is filled with nature and several facilities. Sometimes the facilities are hidden by trees. ‣‣ Statues and sculptures exist with no sign.

6

Discovery Stage CHALK FARM

SWISS COTTAGE

OR

TH

RO

Y

E

JAMESTO WN

AC

AD

REGENT’S PARK ROAD

BE RT

274. C2

TE RR AC

PRIN CE

E

AV EN

AY

AD

TI TC

HF

AD

AC

IE LD

RD

AM S T. J

ES’S

TER

S

PRIN CE

274

R AC

PRIMROSE HILL BRIDGE

E

ALB ERT REG

ROA D

ENT

S C

RT

T

ST

M

ST

K AC

EN

NA

L

ET

274

ST. KATHARINE’S CHURCH

IR C

ET

R

RE

TE

ST

U

T UR CO EW

O

UA RE T

ET RE ST HI GH

R EE

NE

T

LE BO RY MA

NSHIR

THE BOATHOUSE CAFÉ is a family restaurant with a large terrace seating area, boats for hire for adults and children.

Summer opening times 9am – 8pm Winter opening times 10am – 4pm T: +44 (0)20 7724 4069 THE HONEST SAUSAGE serves free-range sausages and bacon in organic bread, organic fair trade tea and coffee with a large outside seating area. Vegetarian options also available.

EE E STR

T

MARYLEBONE

Summer opening times 8am – 7pm Winter opening times 8am – 4pm E: chiefpiggy@honestsausage.com www.honestsausage.com THE HUB CAFÉ, located at The Hub, is licensed for alcohol and available for hire.

Opening times: 7 days a week 9am in the summer, 9.30am in winter, closes one hour before The Hub.

QueeN MArY’S GArDeNS

the roYAL pArKS Are

Queen Mary’s Gardens is a combination of the original Marnock and Burton design for the Royal Botanic Society.

Bushy Park The Green Park Greenwich Park Hyde Park Kensington Gardens The Regent’s Park & Primrose Hill Richmond Park St James’s Park Brompton Cemetery Grosvenor Square Victoria Tower Gardens

Roses are not the only treasure of the Gardens. The Delphinium border has full National Collection status. The Mediterranean Borders are well established, and the Begonia Garden is twice yearly planted with seasonal bedding. Shrubberies are strategically designed and located to add a sense of mystery and privacy to the Gardens.

Further details are shown on dedicated Queen Mary’s Gardens maps surrounding the Gardens.

AD

N

RO T ER A LB CE IN PR

CL

ER CIR INN

E: events@company of cooks.com WALKING DISTANCE (MINUTES)

W ES

E

T: +44 (0)20 7935 5729 E: info@thegardencafe.co.uk www.thegardencafe.co.uk

AC

October 6pm early month, 5pm late month.

PL

November – March 4pm; April 6pm; May 7pm; June – September 8pm;

THE COW & COFFEE BEAN serves farm made dairy ice cream, real milk shakes, fair-trade tea, organic coffee, cream scones, sandwiches and treats.

E

Opening times: 7 days a week 9am and closes at the following times:

eAtiNG & DriNKiNG

IR

T: +44 (0)207 486 4216 E: feedback@willtowin.co.uk www.tennisintheparks.co.uk

ST

T: 0300 061 2323 E: thehub@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk www.royalparks.org.uk/thehub

Y

The Hub opens 7 days a week at 8.30am and closes at 5pm during winter and variable during summer (9pm latest).

R LE

Disabled car parking

THE HUB is a multi-sport venue for a host of community and sporting activities and is available for hire.

THE GARDEN CAFÉ is a newly refurbished 1960’s building with large gardens offering restaurant or takeaway service. The consultant chef is Henry Harris. Menus change seasonally.

Licensed for alcohol.

SH

Jubilee Greenway

T: +44 (0)20 8293 0703

ON

Non public access sites

Viewing point

The café offers a selection of hot and cold snacks. Licensed for alcohol.

Summer opening times 9am – 8pm Winter opening times 10am – 3pm

D E VO

E

Drinking fountain

Children’s play area

Three tennis courts at York Bridge are also marked out for Netball with opportunities to accommodate more netball bookings at certain times.

PLAC

Children’s toilets and drinking fountain

Car parking

EET H STR

Cycle parking

THE REGENT’S PARK TENNIS CENTRE provides high quality tennis facilities and is accredited by the Lawn Tennis Association. Coaching courses available for children and for adults.

HAM

Restaurant

A wide range of sports are available in The Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill including; tennis/netball courts, an athletics track, trim trail, cricket pitches and nets, softball, football and rugby pitches.

In addition, there are four children’s playgrounds each with an attendant, and boating on the main lake.

OUG

Public toilets

Sport & LeiSure

LUX BOR

Cycle hire

Public access sites (opening periods vary)

ET

Park features

RE

Shared use pedestrian cycle way

Seasonal Café

ST

Group.

P

Café

Disabled toilets

NOT TING

R

P

Information

ROA D

REGENT’S PAR

D EV

E

by other organisations, not Royal Parks

i

KE

AC

VE

Bus stop

ST. MARYLEBONE PARISH CHURCH UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER

18 20

E ROAD

3 minutes walk from The Regent’s Park

13. 113.

139. 189

BA

PL

RO

Underground station

restaurants — because they are run

EBO NE

MARYL EBON

18. 27. 30 205. 453

HA

ER

G

453

A6

18. 27. 30 205. 453

WEST TERRA CE

MADAME TUSSAUDS & THE PLANETARIUM

GARDENS

SQ

ST

18. 27. 30 205. 453

ST

ST

CE

H 18. 27. 30 205. 453

YORK

ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC

CIRC LE

PARK SQUARE

RK

RD

2. 74 82. 274

O RT

OU

FO

GL

AG

E

N TW

CH

AC

DORSET SQUARE

YORK GATE

BAKER STREET 2 minutes walk from The Regent’s Park

18. 27

MA RYL

for London Zoo, Open Air Theatre and

OUT ER

PLAC E

N

18 minutes walk from The Regent’s Park

C G

AVENUE GARDENS

MARYLEBONE GREEN

9 minutes walk from The Regent’s Park

SO

30 minutes walk from The Regent’s Park

ROAD

ENGLISH GARDENS

TENNIS CENTRE

YORK BRIDGE

MARYLEBONE

L IS

‣‣ There are different types of signs

CHES TER

P

ALLOTMENT GARDEN

COMMUNITY WILDLIFE GARDEN

PAVILION

REGENT’S COLLEGE

CLARENCE BRIDGE

G LE

PL

ST

IVOR

205

EDGWARE ROAD

P JUBILEE GATES

BANDSTAND

CLARENCE GATE

ST

PADDINGTON

P

QUEEN MARY’S GARDENS

PA

ST

BE

ON

139. 189

LONDON BUSINESS SCHOOL

13. 82. 113. 274

RD

PE

ST

OM

VE

THE GARDEN CAFé

CI

ET

LC

ST RE

E

CAPEL MANOR COLLEGE

RCL E

PA RK

E

LY

SS

AV

O AD

PA

THE COW & COFFEE BEAN

i PARK OFFICE

HOLME GREEN

E

D E ROA

BO

LO

RY

NT

AG

THE HOLME

BOATING LAKE

ROYAL COLLEGE OF OBSTETRICIANS & GYNAECOLOGISTS

WS

HO

M AL G RO

E ME

E

BA

ON

AC

AC

BOATS FOR HIRE (SEASONAL)

139. 189

ROSS MOR

OD

BR

RR

T

PADDINGTON

board are not legible and readable.

RR

LI N

LI SS

ST

TE

ET

WO

H

NT

BOATHOUSE CAFé

CHILDREN’S BOATING POND

R TE

RE

U RC

VE

ST. JOHN’S LODGE GARDEN

OPEN AIR THEATRE

NER

NO

ST. JOHN’S LODGE

WETLAND AREA GOOSE GRAZING PEN

IN

HA

HA

CH

LONGBRIDGE

D

‣‣ The serif typeface with white on black

LI LE

EN

T

A

139. 189

139. 189

SC

R EE

RO C RE

RE E ST

ST

K GATE

HANOVER GATE

KE

M

Y

R HA

N STO

CE

PA ES

RA

T TR

C LE

EE

A LK

R

TS

T ER

W

ST

HANOVER BRIDGES

13. 82. 113. 274

25 minutes walk from The Regent’s Park

C IR

H

D

IG

G EN

WATERFOWL COLLECTION

WILDLIFE & WATERFOWL CENTRE

HANOVER ISLAND

L

LITTLE VENICE

ND

T ER

H

RE

3 meters.

OA

D

CRICKET PEN

LONDON CENTRAL MOSQUE

KE NA

LA

O

GROVE HOUSE

13. 82. 113. 274

CA

BR

O

SPORTS PITCHES

HANO VER

totem signs. The tall ones are almost

E

W

E RO

ER

OU

’S

DG

THE HONEST SAUSAGE

C2

MB

N

LO

CUMBERLAND GREEN

THE REGENT’S PARK

WINFIELD HOUSE

13. 82. 113. 274

AD

CU

H

signs: tall finger signs and low-height

READY MONEY DRINKING FOUNTAIN

SPORTS PITCHES

WINTER GARDENS

274

13. 82 113 LORDS CRICKET GROUND

A

AN

CHARLBERT BRIDGE

VI LL

C2

ST. KATHARINE’S GATE

MACCLESFIELD BRIDGE

LE

BE

ON

RE

A

A LB

. JO ST

‣‣ There are two types of directional

ST. JOHN’S WOOD CHURCH GARDENS

PA RK

GLOUCESTER GATE

RUNNING TRACK

274

ST

C

A RL

RO AD

SE N

AY

ZOO CAR PARK

GLOUCESTER GREEN ZOO MAIN ENTRANCE Z S L LONDON ZOO

AL LIT

EA M

W

RK

DELANCEY

P

TH

points. They have ‘you are here’ things.

PA

ROAD

GLOUCESTER SLIPS

L ANA

E

CH

ALBE RT

ST. MARK’S BRIDGE

PETANQUE

AC E

MEW DMU AC E S T. E TERR S’S AME S T. J

W

RO

D RO

D

OW

RR D TE

TERR NDS

274

TRIM TRAIL

274

CLOSE

O

NZ

W OO

EN

N’S S T. S T E P H E

AD

O

’S

SH

RO

W

the every gate and at some decision

JO HN ST.

RO

UE

X

‣‣ Large bird’s-eye view maps stand near

WO

WN

BO

TO

5

Temporary signs for facilities

Bird’s-eye view map

Finger sign

GLOUCESTER T ERR RO

REGENT’S PARK ROAD

AL

274

L

CECIL SHARP HOUSE

ST. MARK’S CHURCH

12 minutes walk from The Regent’s Park

ROAD

E

PRIMROSE HILL

ST. JOHN’S WOOD

AVE NU

VA

25 minutes walk from The Regent’s Park

Observations

EST ER

AD

O

b. Existing signage

EL SW

CA

CAMDEN LOCK MARKET

22 minutes walk from The Regent’s Park

GLO UC

ST. JOHN’S WOOD

Directional totem 7

Discovery Stage

c. Users Most of the users are couples, elderly people, families (with children), tourists and joggers Observations ‣‣ The users except joggers, they were looking at the maps and confirming their locations. ‣‣ The tourists (two girls) whom we interviewed told us they did not know their locations even though they saw the maps.

Elderly couple 8

Family with cart

Tourists

Middle-age couple

Jogger

Discovery Stage

d. Issues and conclusions from the research The main concerns about the park are: ‣‣ Visibility of signs (toilet, café, statues, etc.) ‣‣ Lack of directional signs ‣‣ Lack of consistency ‣‣ Huge signage ‣‣ Map orientation Especially, the paths of the park are wide and open, however at many decision points there is lack of directional sign. Toilets and cafes are hidden by woods. This might make the users difficult to find them.

In terms of narrative enviroment design, lack of consistency and huge signage are the problems. They compromise the landscape and the narrative of the park. The wayfinding should be subtle that does not affect the landscape.

9

Discovery Stage

3. Mental maps The mental maps that I collected showed the hugeness of the park. No one seemed to understand the whole scape of the park. However, most of them noticed that the London Zoo locates on the north side of the park, and the broad walk is the main route from the south side to north side.

10

Discovery Stage

4. Analyse the park based on The Image of the City a. Contents of the book

What are the essential qualities of the

The Image of the City is a book about

city image?

What are the elements of the city?

urban information design, written by Kevin Lynch (1960). This book is the first

Legibility

Paths

book which defines the modern usage

A legible city can be recognised visually

Channels which the people pass by

of wayfinding. The Image of the City is

with symbols.

i.e. Streets, walkways, canals, railroads

on how people perceive the city. He

Structure and identity (Visibility)

Edges

highlights that ‘giving visual form to the

The city image can be analysed into three

Liner elements which are not used or

city is a special kind of design problem’.

components: identity, structure, and

considered as paths by people

The research was conducted in three

meaning.

i.e. Shores, edges of development, walls

(Boston, Los Angels and Jersey City)

Imageability

Distritcts

in order to examine this new problem,

Imageability is a concept of a

Medium-to-large sections of the city

suggest a method dealing with forming

combination of legibility and visibility.

i.e. Housing/building/shopping area

a result of Lynch’s five-year research

different types of American cities

the visual image of the city and offers the principles of city design.

Nodes Points and strategic spots in a city which

There are five elements that help

people can enter

people to form mental maps and make

i.e. Stations, parks, plazas, shopping malls

users understood their surroundings in consistent and predictable ways.

Landmarks

The five elements are: paths, edges,

Point references

districts, nodes and landmarks. Lynch

i.e. Towers, halls, libraries, churches

suggests that urban designers should analyse these elements and set proper wayfinding which navigates people and helps people to create the image of the city.

Signs for elements (from The Image of the City, Lynch 1960) 11

Discovery Stage

b. Analysis of the structure of the park paths: Major paths connect gates and each main parts (Zoo, Sports pitches, Queen Mary’s Garden and Hub). Minor ones are for browsing around the park. edges: Fences around the whole park districts: Major districts are Queen Mary’s Garden and London Zoo. The boundary of the sports pitches is vague.

Minor ones are woody areas. nodes: Major nodes are Queen Mary’s Garden and London Zoo, same as the districts. The intersections can be minor nodes; they would be decision points to users. landmarks: There is no outstanding landmark that can be major landmark.

However, Hub and Zoo may become point references.

Main parts of the park are: ‣‣ Queen Mary’s Garden ‣‣ ZSL London Zoo ‣‣ Sports pitches/ Broad walk ‣‣ Boating Lake ‣‣ Primrose Hill Except Broad Walk, they are the major destinations for the users. Wayfinding should indicate those places clearly and navigate the users to the places.

12

Discovery Stage

5. User personas Firstly, I set three potential personas based on a first field work: a middle couple with toddler, an elderly male and tourists.

Conclusion

The Johnsons

Richard

Lily

David (34), office worker / Jennifer (33),

65 years old, retiree

22 years old, tourist from Manchester

teacher / Kevin (3)

The daily users of this park may memorise their route already. However, tourists or other first-time users can get lost easily in the park. So I decided to make wayfinding for tourists and choose this persona.

Persona 1: Family

Persona 2 : Elderly

Persona 3 : Tourist

The Johnsons live in North London. On

Richard is a neighbourhood of Regent’s

Lily (22), is a tourist from Manchester.

weekends, they often come to Regent’s

Park. Almost everyday, he walks around

This is her first time visiting the Regent’s

Park for walking around. For Jennifer,

the park, especially Broad Walk and

Park. Her purpose of visiting here is to

knowing the locations of toilets is

Queen Mary’s Garden. Sometimes he

see a musical at the Open Air Theatre.

important. Kevin’s favourite place in the

enjoys coffee with his friends and wife at

She likes to enjoy coffee, gardens and

park is Boating Lake.

the cafes in the park.

musicals.

Expectable route

Expectable route

Expected route

London Zoo → Queen Mary’s Garden →

Queen Mary’s Garden → Broad Walk →

Broad walk → Queen Mary’s Garden →

Broad Walk

The Regent’s Park Hub

Open Air Theatre 13

Discovery Stage

6. User journey Potential Persona

Main routes

Lily

22, female From Manchester Chester gate

Broad walk

14

Queen Mary’s Garden

Open Air Theatre

Discovery Stage

7. Case study: Wayfinding in natural landscape

8. Conclusion

Falls Creek Alpine Resort

target users: Tourists

Falls Creek is a snow sport resort in the Victorian highlands 350 kilometres

issues:

northeast of Melbourne. To avoid being

‣‣ Lack of consistency

hided by snow, the main colour of

‣‣ Lack of directional signs

wayfinding is orange. It is visible in snow,

‣‣ Hugeness of the size

but as the shape is mimic the trunks of

‣‣ Use of typography

the snow gums, it matches the natural landscape.

tasks: ‣‣ Make the sign consistent ‣‣ Set directional signs ‣‣ Design the natural visuals that matches the landscape of the park ‣‣ Improve the readability and legibility of typography

initial approach Make the park legible for the first time users including tourists in a subtle way that does not affect the natural landscape

15

contents

Transforming

1. Mood board 2. Case study: Iron signage 3. Maps in parks 4. Developing the visual idea a. Map b. Pictograms c. Typeface d. Signage

16

Transforming Stage

1. Mood board Narrative approaches I collected signages that suit their environments. In these wayfinding, I found organic elements and narrative approaches. I thought using transparent material was good for my project.

17

Transforming Stage

2. Case study: Iron signage SchlÜsser, Burgen & Gärten Information and orientation system by nowakteufelknyrim GmbH design architecture communication Though this project was a proposal, and was not adopted, this approach was useful for my project. Iron letters on frosted glass could match the landscape of the garden.

18

Transforming Stage

3. Maps in parks Park maps in Copenhagen When I travelled in Copenhagen, I found maps in the parks. Both are simple and small but understandable. I referred to the use of colours in these maps. Also, I found both of the frames have potential for my project.

The frame of Kastellet Park is black and thin. Though legibility of white text may be suspicious, the size of this sign is appropriate.

Regarding the sign of Kongens Have, the frame is decorative and it matches the environment.

19

Transforming Stage

4. Developing the visual ideas a. Map The existing map is a bird’s-eye view style with too much information.

Simplifying the map was my first step.

As I considered using semi-transparent material for the board, I designed the map with black lines and few colours as simple asPRIMROSE possible.

HILL

Primrose Hill

CE A

RT R LBE

PA R

PRIN

Camden Town

KW AY

OAD

Camden Town

CAMDEN TOWN

Primrose Hill

PRIN

ROAD

RK

BERT

PA

CE AL

WA Y

ZLS London Zoo

LONDON ZOO

OUTER

CIRCLE

GLOUCESTER GATE

ZLS London Zoo

Hub

Hub

Holborn & St Pancras W EL LIN ON RO AD

NY ST

GT

ALBA

Hub

ALBAN

REET

Y STR EET

The Cow& Coffee Bean Park Office

Open Air Theatre

Paddington

Boating Lake

PA R

PA R

K

Inner circle

RO AD

ROSS

OA

C CIR ER INN

D

LE

JUBILEE GATE

CLARENCE GATE

GLOU CE

R STR

R PLA

EET

ET R STRE BAKE

LONDON MARYLEBONE

MA

AD E RO B ON RYLE

I tried to use monochrome and few bright

Marylebone

OUTER

CIRCLE

YORK GATE

BAKE

CESTE

le

r Circ

Oute

E

Marylebone

MORE

KR

ROAD

AD E RO

R PL AC ESTE

The Regent’s Park 2nd sketch

MOR

GLOUC

The Regent’s Park

1st sketch

The Garden Cafe

Queen Mary’s Garden

Queen Mary’s Gardens

ROSS

As I wanted to highlight the facilities, I

Open Air Theatre

Boating Lake

BOATING LAKE

Paddington

CHESTER GATE

Boathouse café

HANOVER GATE

Open Air Theatre

BAKER STREET MAR

YLEB

ON

GREAT PORTLAND STREET REGENT’S PARK

AD E RO

3rd sketch

Referring to the maps I found in

chose bright colours for them. However

colours. However this version was way

Copenhagen, I used pale green colour for

they did not work – too bright and not

too tasteless for the park signage and

grass and beige for buildings. It made the

considered the order of importance.

deteriorated legibility. So I went back to

pictograms and labels legible.

use colours.

20

Transforming Stage

b. Pictograms

2nd sketch

1st sketch

ideas:

aims:

‣‣ Making the edges more sharp to be

‣‣ To make a consistent pictograms set

together as a set with the typeface,

‣‣ To suit to maps and

Rotis Semisans ‣‣ Changing circles to squares, but left

ideas:

some round edges because I wanted

‣‣ Using rounded square shapes

to use orgainc shapes considering the

‣‣ Redesigning the existing icons

image of the park.

issues: ‣‣ This set seemed to lack a consistency; toilet one was too rounded comparing with theatre one. ‣‣ Those did not match the typeface (Rotis Semisans) – they were too rounded.

21

PR

RT R

OA

K

L BE

PA R

EA IN C

Transforming Stage

c. Typeface

E

IRCL

ER C

OUT

GLOUCESTER GATE

Agfa Rotis Semisans Rotis is a humanist sans serif designed

by Otl Aicher in 1988. This typeface has been used for transportation, university, W

and city council facilities. Its elegant and EL

L IN

GT

organic letter forms are suitable for the ON

RO

Queen Mary’s Gardens BAKER STREET

Hub

AD

royal park.

ZLS London Zoo

AL BA

In addition, I chose this typeface

this typeface seemed to fit very well with this idea.

The Cow& Coffee Bean

Park Office

REE T

I planned a finger pole sign with cut iron,

NY ST

Map with pictograms and typography Except the ‘gate’ pictograms, all of pictograms are black coloured.

because the capitals are quite legible. As

CHESTER GATE

Boathouse café

HANOVER GATE

Open Air Theatre

Boating Lake

The Garden Cafe

Queen Mary’s Garden PA R

RO S

SMO

RE R

KR

OA

C CIR ER INN

D

JUBILEE GATE

OA D

CLARENCE GATE

GLOU

CLE

R CIR

OUTE

AC E

R STR

ER P L

YORK GATE

BAK E

CE S T

EE T

LONDON MARYLEBONE

22

LE

BAKER STREET Y MAR

L EB O

NE R

OA D

GREAT PORTLAND STREET REGENT’S PARK

Transforming Stage

d. Signage Since I looked for a subtle way to make signage, I considered using engraved and semi-transparent materials. However, they had problems of legibility and too massive for the park. I decided to rethink the features of the park and came up with the idea to used the elements from the shapes of the gates. Using iron frames and making it into botanical shapes can contribute to the landscape of the park.

I used the elegant curved elements from the gates in the park.

Gates in Regent’s Park

23

Transforming Stage

Other ideas for the finger pole sign Engraved sign The first idea was an engraved signage.

However, it is too massive and not legible.

I continued to look for other solution and materials.

Semi-transparent sign The second idea was using semitransparent materials. However it was still massive and does not suit to the

The Garden Cafe

Queen Mary’s Garden

10mins

Park Office

The Garden Cafe

8mins

You are here

18mins

18mins

Park Office

ZLS London Zoo

8mins

ZLS London Zoo

20mins

landscape. But I realised that using

20mins

organic shapes is a useful way for making wayfinding for the park.

Queen Mary’s Garden The Garden Cafe

Queen Mary’s Garden

10mins

Camden Town

You are here

The Garden Cafe

18mins

Park Office 8mins

10mins

You are here

Camden Town

18mins

ZLS London Zoo

Park Office

20mins

8mins

ZLS London Zoo 20mins

24

Que

10mins

Camden Town

Camden Town

You are here

contents

Making

1. Concept of the project 2. Visual outcomes a. Map b. Pictograms c. Sign graphics d. Finger pole 3. Signage family 4. Placement of the signs 5. User journey

25

Making Stage

1. Concept of the project

New wayfinding for Regent’s Park The existing signage in Regent’s Park in London has a problem of legibility and some of the signs do not suit to the natural landscape of the park. Revising the signage is an attempt to attract more tourists and returning visitors, and also for the signage to match the environment better.

Designing a clear wayfinding system with keeping the narrative of the park is the main task of this project.

Finding the features of the park and using organic forms are the core idea of the visual design.

26

Making Stage

2. Visual outcomes a. Map Focusing on the legibility of the name

CAMDEN TOWN

labels of the places and the main facilities (e.g. Hub and Queen Mary’s

Primrose Hill

PRIN

Black labels are coloured with 90 % black

CE A

L BE

RT R

OA D

and multiplied in order to match the lawn

PA R

lawn, woods, the lake needed to be subtle.

KW AY

Gardens), other elements such as the

colour.

E

IRCL

ER C

OUT

GLOUCESTER GATE

ZLS London Zoo

Hub W EL L IN GT ON RO AD ALBA NY STR EE T

ER NN

The Honest Sausage

CLE C IR

Park Office

I

Boathouse café HANOVER GATE

CHESTER GATE

Open Air Theatre The Garden Cafe

Boating Lake

LE

Queen Mary’s Gardens PA R

RO S

SM O

RE

KR

OA

INN

D

ER

CI

RC

JUBILEE GATE

D R OA

GLOU

CLARENCE GATE

CE

R STR

R PL A

BAK E

CESTE

EE T

LONDON MARYLEBONE

CLE

R CIR

OUTE

GREAT PORTLAND STREET

YORK GATE

REGENT’S PARK BAKER STREET MAR

Y L EB

O

OA NE R

D

27

Making Stage

b. Pictograms

28

Public toilets

Café

Gate

Disabled toilets

Seasonal café

Underground station

Information

Sports pitch

Restaurant

Theatre

Making Stage

Park map sign

c. Sign graphics These are the graphics for freestanding signs. Map orientation graphic signs are located at inside gates and decision

CHESTER GATE

QUEEN MARY’S GARDENS

points, and directional signs are located outside the gates and small decision

CAMDEN TOWN

CAMDEN TOWN

PRIN

inside the gate; on the other hand inside

CE AL

KW AY

BERT

ROAD

PA R

Outside signs simply show the facilities

PRIN

CE AL

BERT

RCLE

ROAD

RCLE

R CI

R CI

OUTE

signs contains each information for the

KW AY

Primrose Hill

Primrose Hill

PA R

points.

OUTE

GLOUCESTER GATE

GLOUCESTER GATE

ZLS London Zoo

ZLS London Zoo

area where they stand.

Hub

Hub W

W

EL

EL

LIN

LIN

Arrows in directional signs are same

GT

GT

ON

ON

RO

RO

AD

AD

ALBA

ALBA

NY STR

NY STR

shapes as the finger totems.

EET

EET

The Honest Sausage

CLE C IR

I

Park Office

CHESTER GATE HANOVER GATE

Open Air Theatre

The Honest Sausage

CLE C IR

Park Office

The Garden Cafe

Boating Lake

Queen Mary’s Gardens

LE

LE

Queen Mary’s Gardens PA R

ROSS

MOR

E

KR

OA

INN

D

ER

CI

RC

PA R

KR

JUBILEE GATE

ROAD

ROSS

OUTER

MOR

E

OA

INN

D

CIRCLE

ET

YLEB

R STRE

MAR

ACE

ET

LONDON MARYLEBONE

ROAD ONE

CI

RC

OUTER

GREAT PORTLAND STREET REGENT’S PARK

BAKER STREET

LONDON MARYLEBONE

5mins

CIRCLE

YORK GATE

BAKE

ER PL

REGENT’S PARK BAKER STREET

CLARENCE GATE

CEST

ACE

R STRE

ER PL

BAKE

CEST

GREAT PORTLAND STREET

YORK GATE

ER

JUBILEE GATE

ROAD

GLOU

GLOU

CLARENCE GATE

CHESTER GATE

Open Air Theatre

The Garden Cafe

Boating Lake

ER NN

Boathouse café

I

ER NN

Boathouse café HANOVER GATE

MAR

YLEB

ROAD ONE

5mins Walking distance

Walking distance

Rotis Semisans, Bold Rotis Semisans, Regular

Public toilets

Restaurant

Sports pitch

Gate

Public toilets

Restaurant

Sports pitch

Gate

Disabled toilets

Café

Theatre

Underground station

Disabled toilets

Café

Theatre

Underground station

Information

Seasonal café

Information

Seasonal café

QUEEN MARY’S GARDENS

THE GARDEN CAFÉ

PARK MANAGEMENT

OPENING TIMES

REGENT’S PARK

THE HONEST SAUSAGE

PARK MANAGEMENT

OPENING TIMES

Queen Mary’s Gardens is a combination of the original Marnock and Burton design for the Royal Botanic Society.

Roses are not the only treasure of the Gardens.

The Delphinium border has full National Collection status. The Mediterranean Borders are well established, and the Begonia Garden is twice yearly planted with seasonal bedding.

Shrubberies are strategically designed and located to add a sense of mystery and privacy to the Gardens.

The garden café is a newly refurbished 1960’s building with large gardens offering restaurant or takeaway service. The consultant chef is Henry Harris.

Nick BiddleThe Storeyard, Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4NR

The park is open from 5am to dusk all year round.

The Regent's Park, designed

by John Nash, covers 395 acres and includes Queen Mary's Gardens which features more than 12,000 roses of 400 varieties, as well as the gloriously restored William Andrews Nesfield's Avenue Gardens.

With excellent sports facilities spanning nearly 100 acres it includes the largest outdoor sports area in central London.

The park also houses the Open Air Theatre, London Zoo, Primrose Hill, the country's largest free to access waterfowl collection and 100 species of wild bird.

All the sausages and bacon are sourced from a family run business in Gloucestershire.

This company uses only free-range and organic pork sourced from small family run farms within 15 miles of their premises.

Nick BiddleThe Storeyard, Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4NR

The park is open from 5am to dusk all year round.

Opening times: 7days a week 9am Closes times: November–March 4pm; April 6pm; May 7pm; June–September 8pm; October 6pm early month, 5pm late month.

www.royalparks.org.uk

Opening times: 7days a week 9am Closes times: November–March 4pm; April 6pm; May 7pm; June–September 8pm; October 6pm early month, 5pm late month.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7935 5729 Email: info@thegardencafe.co.uk www.thegardencafe.co.uk

Tel: +44 (0)30 0061 2300 Email: regents@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk

The following park roads are closed between midnight & 7am: Outer & Inner Circle, Park Square East & West, York Gate, Hanover Gate, Macclesfield Bridge, Chester Road.

www.royalparks.org.uk

CONTACTING POLICE 999 for emergencies.

101 for other calls.

You can also report a crime online at www.online.met.police.uk

Tel: +44 (0)20 5982 3721 Email: honestsausage@companyofco oks.com www.companyofcooks.com

Tel: +44 (0)30 0061 2300 Email: regents@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk

The following park roads are closed between midnight & 7am: Outer & Inner Circle, Park Square East & West, York Gate, Hanover Gate, Macclesfield Bridge, Chester Road.

CONTACTING POLICE 999 for emergencies.

101 for other calls.

You can also report a crime online at www.online.met.police.uk

29

Making Stage

Directional sign

Avenue Gardens Queen Mary’s Gardens Open Air Theatre Café ZSL London Zoo

CHESTER GATE Queen Mary’s Gardens Open Air Theatre Café Park Office

INNER CIRCLE

30

d. Finger pole Finger poles are located in the centres of Queen Mary’s Gardens and complex decision points. The material is iron.

Making Stage

3. Signage family

320 cm

200 cm QUEEN MARY’S GARDENS CAMDEN TOWN

Primrose Hill

PRIN

CE ALB

ERT

ROA

WA Y

TOILETS

BAKER STREET

D

RK

220 cm

BOATING LAKE

PA

CAMDEN TOWN

E

R CIRCL

OUTE

GLOUCESTER GATE

ZLS London Zoo

Hub WE LLI NG TO N RO AD ALBAN Y STREET

ER NN

Boathouse café

The Honest Sausage

CLE C IR

Park Office

I

PARK OFFICE

THE GARDEN CAFE

HANOVER GATE

CHESTER GATE

Open Air Theatre The Garden Cafe

Boating Lake

Queen Mary’s Gardens LE

ZSL LONDON ZOO

PA

ROSS

MOR

RK

RO

E INN

AD

RC

IR

C

JUBILEE GATE

E ROAD

GLOU

CLARENCE GATE

OUTER

GREAT PORTLAND STREET REGENT’S PARK

STREE

R PLACE

BAKER

CESTE

120 cm

CIRCLE

YORK GATE

T

BAKER STREET

LONDON MARYLEBONE

MAR

YLEB

ONE

ROA

D

5mins Walking distance

Public toilets Disabled toilets Information

Restaurant Café

Sports pitch Theatre

Gate Underground station

Seasonal café

QUEEN MARY’S GARDENS

THE GARDEN CAFÉ

Queen Mary’s Gardens is a combination of the original Marnock and Burton design for the Royal Botanic Society.

Roses are not the only treasure of the Gardens.

The Delphinium border has full National Collection status. The Mediterranean Borders are well established, and the Begonia Garden is twice yearly planted with seasonal bedding.

Shrubberies are strategically designed and located to add a sense of mystery and privacy to the Gardens.

Nick BiddleThe Storeyard, The garden café is a newly Inner Circle, refurbished 1960’s Regent’s Park, London building with large gardens NW1 4NR offering restaurant or takeaway service. The consultant chef is Henry Harris. Tel: +44 (0)30 0061 2300 Email: regents@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk Opening times: 7days a week 9am www.royalparks.org.uk Closes times: November–March 4pm; April 6pm; May 7pm; June–September 8pm; October 6pm early month, 5pm late month.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7935 5729 Email: info@thegardencafe.co.uk www.thegardencafe.co.uk

PARK MANAGEMENT

OPENING TIMES The park is open from 5am to dusk all year round.

The following park roads are closed between midnight & 7am: Outer & Inner Circle, Park Square East & West, York Gate, Hanover Gate, Macclesfield Bridge, Chester Road.

CONTACTING POLICE 999 for emergencies.

101 for other calls.

You can also report a crime online at www.online.met.police.uk

Avenue Gardens Queen Mary’s Gardens Open Air Theatre Café ZSL London Zoo

TOILETS

CHESTER GATE

31

Making Stage

CAMDEN TOWN

4. Placement of the signs

Primrose Hill

front of cafes or toilets. I have clarified

PR

EA IN C

L BE

RT R

OA D

PA R

outside the gates, decision points and in

KW AY

Signs should be placed inside and

the decision points by using Lynch’s methodology and experience from the field work.

E

IRCL

ER C

OUT

GLOUCESTER GATE

ZLS London Zoo

– Proposed point Hub W EL L IN GT ON RO AD AL BA NY ST R EE T

ER NN

The Honest Sausage

CLE C IR

Park Office

I

Boathouse café HANOVER GATE

CHESTER GATE

Open Air Theatre The Garden Cafe

Boating Lake

LE

Queen Mary’s Gardens PA R

RO S

SM O

RE R

KR

OA

INN

D

CI

RC

JUBILEE GATE

OA D

CLARENCE GATE

G LO U AC E

R STR

ER P L

EE T

LONDON MARYLEBONE

CLE

R CIR

OUTE

GREAT PORTLAND STREET

YORK GATE

BAK E

CE S T

32

ER

REGENT’S PARK BAKER STREET MAR

Y L EB

ON

AD E RO

PR

Making Stage LE

IRC ER C

OUT

5. User journey

GLOUCESTER GATE

ZLS London Zoo

Lily’s journey to the Open Air Theatre Lily (22), is a tourist from Manchester.

Hub

W

This is her first time visiting Regent’s

EL L IN

Park. Her purpose of visiting here is to see

GT ON RO

a musical at the Open Air Theatre.

AD

AL BA NY ST R EE T

ER NN

4

CLE C IR

The Honest Sausage Park Office

I

Boathouse café HANOVER GATE

2

1

Open Air Theatre The Garden Cafe

Boating Lake

CHESTER GATE

2

3 LE

Queen Mary’s Gardens PA R

RO S

SM O

RE R

KR

OA

INN

D

ER

CI

RC

JUBILEE GATE

OA D

G LO U

CLARENCE GATE

AC E

R STR

ER P L

GREAT PORTLAND STREET

YORK GATE

BAK E

CE S T

EE T

LONDON MARYLEBONE

CLE

R CIR

OUTE

REGENT’S PARK BAKER STREET

YLE MAR

BON

AD E RO

33

Making Stage

1

Step 1

After getting off a subway at Regent’s

Step 2

She enters Chester gate and finds a park

Park station, Lily finds a directional sign

map sign. These signs are placed at the

at Chester gate. These are placed in front

entrances of the gates and decision

of every gate. She finds that the Queen

points. She confirms her current location

Mary’s Gardens are inside this gate.

and the direction of Queen Mary’s Gardens.

34

Making Stage

2

Step 3

She goes straight to Queen Mary’s Gardens and reaches the entrance of the

Step 4

Lily enters Queen Mary’s Gardens and confirms her current location.

Inner Circle.

35

Making Stage

3

Step 5

She walks to the centre of Queen Mary’s Gardens and finds a finger pole sign.

36

Step 6

She looks up the Open Air Theatre in the sign and goes north.

Making Stage

4

Step 7

Lily finds a small directional sign on the corner and turns left. She has arrived at the Open Air Theatre and awaits the performance.

37

Conclusions and further development Because Regent’s Park is quite extensive, it was hard to explore the features and find decision points. However, working with the park gave me the insights into which kind of wayfinding can match the natural and artificial landscapes.

The further development for this project would be to understand a psychological aspect of wayfinding.

Knowing why and how people choose which ways to go would be necessary to make this project more reliable.

References Lynch, Kevin (1960). The image of the city. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Mollerup, Per (2013). Wayshowing Wayfinding: Basic and Interactive. New ed. Amsterdam: BIS Publishers

Acknowledgements The photographs of Regent’s Park were taken by me. Other images have been taken from various sources throughout the Internet. They have been used for visualization purposes only.

38