Abes: An Accessible Wayfinding System Wayfinding suggestions for low vision capabilities in supermarkets
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Abes Wayfinding System
Section Name
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Introduction
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Overview of Abes Wayfinding System
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Research Summary
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Abes Wayfinding Best Practice Guidelines
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Our Audience
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Other Considerations for Wayfinding Experiences
Introduction to Abes Wayfinding System The Abes Wayfinding System is a set of guidelines combining elements of existing wayfinding solutions that we know to be effective and integrating them into a new context: supermarkets. Designed to make the shopping experience easier for everyone, Abes improves in-store wayfinding through adjustments to signage and the addition of digital and graphic wayfinding content to the retail environment. Informed by research, the system alleviates many of the challenges low vision individuals (LVIs) face when grocery shopping. The implementation of this system promotes social inclusion for the vulnerable members of our society through improving accessibility to an independence activity. These guidelines outline the recommendations and principles of best practice to improve in-store wayfinding and increase accessibility. The best practice guidelines were compiled from academic and primary research findings. The Abes guidelines cover information about end of aisle signage, store directories, register signage, plus an interface search and scan system and general recommendations to improve in-store wayfinding experiences. These elements work together to help customers easily locate the items and areas that they are after.
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Abes Wayfinding System
Introduction
Research Summary
Our secondary research involved a thorough analysis of peer-reviewed articles and industry case studies on the topics of inclusive and accessible design, and the essential role it plays in creating a sense of community belonging and engagement for low vision individuals. Following this, we formed the research question “What are the challenges low vision individuals face when supermarket shopping independently?”. We expanded this further, developing two sub research questions: “What is the experience of supermarket shopping for the visually impaired?” and “What communication and environmental design features are found in supermarkets?”. To answer our first sub research question, we conducted social media data mining, analysing posts, comments and vlogs, on the experience of supermarket shopping for the visually impaired. To ensure the collection of robust and reliable findings, we also conducted a semi-structured interview with a low vision individual to discuss their typical in-store shopping experience and the challenges they faced.
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To investigate the communication and environmental design features that currently exist in supermarkets, we conducted artefact analysis of existing supermarket designs. Including eight stores in the Melbourne Metropolitan area ensured data-source triangulation. In our sample, we included both independent and chain stores. After the initial iteration of the Abes Wayfinding System, we had a wayfinding industry professional evaluate our work. We then conducted user-testing to ensure the final solution was as effective and desirable as possible. These guidelines are a direct reflection of our primary and secondary research findings, as well as our usertesting. This research helped us to design with greater empathy to create a more effective solution. The implementation of the Abes Wayfinding System in supermarkets will help promote community belonging and participation through enabling access to—and empowering low vision individuals to engage in—an independence activity. The elements of the Abes Wayfinding System help to provide a seamless in-store wayfinding system for all.
Abes Wayfinding System
Introduction
Our Audience
Abes was developed to help alleviate the challenges faced by those with low vision through providing a clear and efficient in-store wayfinding system. Therefore, the primary target audience for Abes is low vision individuals. Due to the universality of the design, however, and the improvement in ease of wayfinding, the audience for the Abes Wayfinding System also includes a secondary audience of the general population. Abes and it’s underlying principles can be implemented into any supermarket or retail space to create a more inclusive shopping experience for the whole community. Implementing these principles will help to increase the consumer base for the stores, thus increasing clientele and profits, as well as having a positive impact on brand perception. Increasing the positive experience in-store will help to increase brand perception and brand loyalty, creating a repeat-customer base.
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Normal Vision
Stargardt’s Disease
Glaucoma
Cataract
Diabetic Retinopathy
Age-related Macular Degeneration
Abes Wayfinding System
Introduction
Overview of Abes Wayfinding System These images are visualisations of the Abes Wayfinding System which will be discussed further in the Best Practice Guidelines.
End of aisle signage
Aisle Dividers
Throughout these guidelines, we have included images of recommended designs for the elements discussed. These were all designed following the Abes brand guidelines, but can be adjusted to suit the branding of any store.
Map and directory
Wall signage
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Abes Wayfinding System
Digital interface, scan
Introduction
Abes Wayfinding Best Practice Guidelines Visual communication design and application
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Abes Wayfinding System
Section Name
Visual Communication Factors COLOUR In wayfinding, high contrast is important for signage visibility and both text legibility and readability. Contrast can be largely influenced by colour choices.
BEST PRACTICE: • use white text on a black background to improve readability • colour coordination is recommend to support the communication of the text
Figure 1
Bright coloured backgrounds allow white text to be easily read.
Figure 2
Light hues do not provide enough contrast with white text to pass contrast testing.
• use bright colours • ensure high contrast between colours for differentiation • test colour contrast with available tools such as WebAIM contrast checker (www.webaim. org/resources/contrastchecker) • consider the signage colour in comparison to the background or environment colours to ensure sufficient contrast between elements.
AVOID: • low contrast colours • colours of a similar hue or lightness.
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Abes Wayfinding System
Best Practice Guidelines
Visual Communication Factors TYPOGRAPHY The choice of typeface impacts the wayfinding experience based on the legibility and readability of the letters. Some suggestions for making written information easier to access are below. BEST PRACTICE: • use OpenType fonts for a range of glyphs • use left-aligned text where possible • have text set at 12–18 point size to enhance information readability • leading should be set at 125–130% of the point size • high contrast between colours is essential for differentiation • use a clear, sans serif font such as Atkinson Hyperlegible (right).
AVOID: • indistinct letters, numbers and punctuation • condensed, italic, serif, cursive or decorative typefaces • underlining words or other decorative typographic features • justified alignment of paragraphs • using typography below 9 point size. Figure 3
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Abes Wayfinding System
Use of a clear typeface is essential for accessibility. For example, Abes uses Atkinson Hyperlegible, which was specifically designed for low vision capabilities.
Best Practice Guidelines
Applying Visual Communication GENERAL SIGNAGE Colour should be used with typography on signage to help improve the effectiveness of communication for low vision individuals. Independent of these factors, these general considerations apply. BEST PRACTICE: • use a consistent, regulated style • keep information simple and uncluttered • ensure signage is in a consistent and expected location • place key information at eye-level
Figure 4
The Abes store signage places all key information at eye-level making it easy for everyone to read.
Figure 5
Polycarbonate is recommended for durable and colourful signage applications.
• information should be simple and uncluttered.
AVOID: • overhead signage • glossy or reflective materials • busy and cluttered information.
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Abes Wayfinding System
Best Practice Guidelines
Applying Visual Communication STORE DIRECTORY The store directory combines all visual communication factors. It should be located at the front of the store to be obvious and easy for customers to access.
BEST PRACTICE: • ensure customer service desks are located at the front of the store and are clearly signed • place a large store directory at the entrance to the store detailing the location of items in the store • ensure store directories are at a large scale, at least 3–5 metres wide
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The customer service desk should be clearly signed at the front of the store to enable customers to easily find help.
Figure 7
Store directories should be organised in alphabetical order with sufficient clear space around the information.
• keep informative typography to at least 12–18 point in size • use sufficient white space to enhance information retention by users.
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Abes Wayfinding System
Best Practice Guidelines
Applying Visual Communication END OF AISLE SIGNAGE All end of aisle signage should be at eyeheight. The text should be highly contrasted; item categories should be white text on a black background. Single brand colours can be used for applications such as the end of aisle signage as long as the contrast is high enough. In the user testing, the end of aisle signage was identified to be the most useful wayfinding tool.
BEST PRACTICE: • referring to the WebAIM colour contrast checker (www.webaim.org/resources/ contrastchecker), use a colour contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for text at a large size or 3:1 at a normal size
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The recommended design for end of aisle signage replaces overhanging signs, moving key information to eye-level and using bright, bold colour coordination for each aisle.
Figure 9
Colours may be substituted for store brand colours, providing that there is a high enough contrast between text and background.
• apply all colour and signage best practice guidelines to end of aisle signage.
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Abes Wayfinding System
Best Practice Guidelines
Applying Visual Communication AISLE DIVIDERS Clear aisle dividers should be installed on the shelving to show where various items are located in the aisle. These should be coordinated to the colour of the end of aisle signage. BEST PRACTICE: • ensure vertical typography is at least 400 point in size.
AVOID:
Figure 10
Product sections should be clearly divided, with text set to at least 400 point size to be quickly and clearly readible.
Figure 11
Aisle dividers should wrap into the shelf fixtures to help separate and avoid confusion between products for customers.
• implementing eye-level aisle dividers that protrude more than 15cm into the aisle.
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Abes Wayfinding System
Best Practice Guidelines
Applying Visual Communication WALL SIGNAGE Large and clear signage should be applied to the facade of the perimeter walls of the store describing the products in that area. These should have a high colour contrast to the background and be large enough to be read by customers standing at a distance.
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Figure 12
The wall signage applies all colour, typography and signage design factors.
Figure 13
Wall signage needs to large enough to be read at a distance.
Abes Wayfinding System
Best Practice Guidelines
Applying Visual Communication REGISTER SIGNAGE Both colour and typography must be used in conjunction for signage to be effectively used by low vision individuals. However, register signage also has considerations independent of these factors. BEST PRACTICE: • use green to indicate that an aisle is open • key text indicating that a register is open should be located at eye-level • register numbers placed above eye-level should be larger than 70 point in size.
Figure 14
The front of register signage should be used in conjunction with the overhead light as it is closer to eye-level.
Figure 15
The open register system was simplified to a single colour light to accomodate for colour blindness.
AVOID: • using the red/green system to indicate registers being open or closed.
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Abes Wayfinding System
Best Practice Guidelines
Applying Visual Communication SEARCH & SCAN DIGITAL INTERFACE Part of the Abes Wayfinding System features a digital search and scan interface. This has been designed according to the listed best practice measures.
BEST PRACTICE: • clear search feature • icons accompanying information • clear product descriptions • consistent, clean layout • high contrast buttons
Figure 16
The homepage for the ‘Search & Scan’ system features buttons with shadows to help people identify interactive elements.
Figure 17
People may use the scan feature to help them read products with small text or differentiate similar looking items, such as spices.
• magnification feature.
AVOID: • cluttered design • obscure location of search function • use of jargon • decorative and non-functional animations • nested elements in navigation drop down menus.
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Abes Wayfinding System
Best Practice Guidelines
Applying Visual Communication SEARCH & SCAN SMARTPHONE APP The ‘Search & Scan’ feature was adapted to a smartphone application. This app can use a wifi connection to access information such as the map and the product details throughout the store. The application is built on the same accessibility principles as the ‘Search & Scan’ interface.
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Figure 18
The ‘Search & Scan’ stations were adapted into a smartphone app to be easily accessed throughout the store. Customers can scan items to obtain product details wherever they are in the store.
Figure 19
The smartphone application uses the same digital interface design principles as the ‘Search & Scan’ tablet.
Abes Wayfinding System
Best Practice Guidelines
Other Considerations for Wayfinding Experiences Extra considerations to create a seamless wayfinding experience
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Abes Wayfinding System
Section Name
Other Wayfinding Considerations The Abes best practice guidelines address select physical and ambient wayfinding factors. There are, however, a number of physical, ambient and intangible factors which may influence the effectiveness of a wayfinding solution. The following are other aspects to consider during the development of a seamless wayfinding experience.
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Abes Wayfinding System
Other Wayfinding Considerations
Structural Wayfinding Factors
Structural Wayfinding Factors
Ambient Wayfinding Factors
STORE LAYOUT
FIXTURES
LIGHTING
A logical, simple store layout helps with navigation, the development of a mental image and the spatial memory of a location.
The choice of fixtures depends on a range of capabilities.
Effective store lighting can greatly improve the legibility and readability of information.
BEST PRACTICE:
BEST PRACTICE:
BEST PRACTICE:
• consistent, intuitive and clearly labeled sections in store
• open top shelves for better lighting on products
• bright, consistent lighting
• simple geometry with 90° corners
• stepped or angled shelves allow for more products to be easily seen
• pathway width to fit two standard wheelchairs side by side • service desk in an easy to locate position • clearly identified entrances and exits.
• open fridges • specific to the deli department, installation of ‘now serving’ signage at regular intervals along length of deli
• warm, diffused halogen lighting • incandescent bulbs • at least 45% of luminous contrast • consider placement of windows for natural distribution of light • implement recessed lighting into ceiling.
• scales in the fresh produce department should be placed at eye-level • large, clear register screen interface.
AVOID:
AVOID:
AVOID:
• structural hazards in aisles
• shelving that is too high or too low as users may not be able reach products or get close enough to read price tags easily
• fluorescent and LED lights
• leaving stock in aisles.
• glass fridges; glass can be hard to look through due to glare or fogged glass. Glass or clear perspex can also pose safety hazards as they can be hard to see.
• lighting which creates harsh shadows or glare • spotlights • multi-directional light fixtures • unconsidered window placement, any natural lighting which causes glare • hanging lights.
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Abes Wayfinding System
Other Wayfinding Considerations
DEVELOPED BY TANYA LOUCAS, RHODESIA SAYKAO AND EMILY WOOKEY.