Atkins Wayfinding Brochure

WAYFINDING

ENGINEERING ARCHITECTURE

Plan

Information Design

Pedestrian Modelling

Circulation Analysis

Brand Integration

Installation

Stakeholder Engagement

Placement Strategy

Copywriting

Cartography

Wayfinding

Coordination

Design

Product Development

Graphic Design

Project Management

Prototyping

Artworking

User Testing

Future Proofing

EnableProject

Delivery

WHO WE ARE

Atkins’ Pedestrian, Cycling and Space Planning team provides an award-winning wayfinding design service.

Our ethos is to encourage and support sustainable and active travel modes through the creation of high quality, legible and integrated public spaces.

The team has over 12 years of experience working on some of the most innovative and exciting wayfinding projects in the UK and internationally. Our work encompasses a wide range of environments including town and city centres, transport interchanges, rail stations, airports, universities, shopping centres and complex buildings and estates.

Atkins’ success in delivering high quality wayfinding solutions across the UK and overseas has been made possible through the holistic and user centred approach applied consistently across all our projects.

We design with the end user in mind, using our unrivalled understanding of pedestrian movement behaviour and knowledge of how people navigate unfamiliar environments. We ensure this methodology is adopted throughout all the steps of our work; from initial strategy and concept stages through to detailed design, fabrication, installation and maintenance.

Our team comprises specialists from a wide range of disciplines including environmental graphic designers, space planners, urban designers, engineers, and transport planners. In addition, we are supported by experienced architects, town planners, conservation and heritage consultants, accessibility and inclusivity specialists, human factors engineers, digital specialists, product designers and branding consultants from both the wider Atkins group and long-standing design partners.

We are members of the Society for Experiential Graphic Design, the Sign Design Society, the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation.

WHAT WE DO...

The development of an effective wayfinding and information strategy forms the backbone to any successful wayfinding system.

Atkins’ approach is based on a clear understanding of pedestrian and cyclist movement behaviours and the role of information provision alongside environmental cues within the built environment. By linking these key areas of capability we are able to develop a rationalised approach to wayfinding through innovative yet practical strategies.

The strategy underpins the entire decision-making process to ensure that the aspirations of the wayfinding system are designed for, met and exceeded.

Our team works to provide a research-based, tailored approach which creates solutions specific to local needs and is integrated into the surrounding environment.

Our solutions are recognisable, intuitive and accessible to the widest range of users, including those with physical or mental disabilities.

Stakeholder engagement is fundamental to our approach to strategy development. By consulting with all parties from study inception, we provide a final solution that satisfies the needs of the full audience.

WHAT WE DO...

HOLISTIC SOLUTIONS

Planning for an integrated, coordinated and future-proofed system is fundamental to all of our schemes.

We deliver a suite of environmental graphic and product design solutions which seamlessly integrate into the built environment, providing the right level of wayfinding support when and where it is needed the most.

Design solutions can range from traditional signposts and map-based information totems, through to the exploration of new technologies for delivering navigation aids such as interactive digital interfaces, wireless data transfer, smart phone applications, real-time information systems and on-line journey planning tools.

We aim to provide solutions that not only meet the requirements set today, but also have the ability to grow and adapt to future requirements in a costeffective and structured manner. This includes technological advances as well as general behavioural changes of the end users.

WHAT WE DO...

GRAPHIC AND PRODUCT DESIGN

We are specialists in developing bespoke wayfinding graphics and product ranges, with a track record for producing work to the highest standards and tolerances.

Throughout the design process our in-house experts and design partners work closely with our clients and project stakeholders to ensure that their needs are integrated within the end solution. In addition to compiling useful sign content and interpretative information, we carefully select materials, forms, finishes, colour palettes and graphical styles to ensure our systems generate instant recognition through strong visual identities and branding. These not only help to create visually engaging and attractive solutions, but also contribute to a sense of place and harmony with existing surroundings.

Our wide range of experience delivering systems on the ground has allowed us to develop close working relationships with many of the industry’s leading suppliers and sign manufacturers. This experience allows us to easily understand production trends and constraints, enabling us to create detailed specifications and practical designs from the outset to facilitate smooth and timely implementation.

Additionally we frequently work with our clients to manage any supplier or installation procurement processes to ensure that the best possible team is found for the job in hand.

WHAT WE DO...

MAP DESIGN AND CARTOGRAPHY

The development of comprehensive visual design standards, including bespoke map design from building interiors to entire towns and cities, forms a key part of our expertise.

Our in-house team of graphic designers, information designers and cartographers is supported by long-standing creative design partners who enable us to create bespoke solutions that are functional, legible and aesthetically pleasing. All of our graphics are designed with the end user in mind, ensuring that information presented is useful, provided at the right level of resolution, and easy to find and recognise.

We are able to produce license-free mapping that can be used across a wide variety of applications based on project requirements. We can develop mapping that not only meets and exceeds best practice standards, but also responds to specific project goals such as: promoting mode shift and uptake of public transport; linking adjacent communities and segregated districts; or increasing retail spend and passing trade.

In addition, our dedicated wayfinding consultants have experience of undertaking on-site public questionnaire surveys and employing rapid user-testing techniques to further ensure that our designs are fit for purpose and respond to end-user needs.

WHAT WE DO...

INCLUSIVE DESIGN

Supporting inclusivity and compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act is paramount to all our schemes.

We ensure that the end system works for as many users as possible, particularly for those with vision deficiencies, learning difficulties, mobility impairments and where multi-lingual solutions are required.

In addition to our in-house access consultants, we work with both local and national access groups and charities, such as the Royal National Institute of Blind People, to incorporate expert advice on a regular basis.

This feeds into all aspects of the design from typeface selection and display sizes, colour contrasts, content selection and general graphical layouts, through to sign placement considerations such as lighting levels, footway widths, gradients and sightlines.

WHAT WE DO...

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

Creating sustainable designs is high on our agenda and fully aligns with our aims of supporting sustainable forms of travel.

Our proposals reflect this approach. Where possible we advocate the use of fully recyclable materials with minimal whole life costs, such as steel, aluminium and toughened glass.

Our most commonly used sign products are designed to be as robust as possible, can be relocated and reused if required, and may also be updated with new wayfinding content with minimal cost and effort.

Through carefully considered designs, materials, production and installation methods, our clients reap the rewards of extended product lives coupled with minimal maintenance commitments.

WHAT WE DO...

SPECIALIST SUPPORT

Atkins is the largest engineering consultancy in the UK and the largest multi-disciplinary consultancy in Europe.

Our unrivalled reputation rests on the abilities of the 18,000 skilled employees within the organisation.

Our team is able to draw upon a full range of specialists including:

• Pedestrian and cycling movement consultants

• Graphic designers

• Information designers

• Product and industrial designers

• Branding and identity specialists

• Landscape and urban designers

• Heritage and conservation consultants

• Transport planners, engineers and pedestrian modellers

• Highway and traffic engineers

• Road Safety Auditors

• Accessibility and inclusivity consultants

• Human factors / ergonomics consultants

• Digital media and technology specialists

EXPERIENCE

Legible London South Bank and Bankside pilot program (2008-2010)

Commissioned by Transport for London as part of the original Legible London pilot in 2008, Atkins was asked to further develop, refine, install and test the Legible London system in the London districts of South Bank and Bankside prior to city-wide roll out. The work included detailed onsite audits and appreciation studies to identify wayfinding needs, in addition to extensive consultation with local stakeholders and business groups to feed in local knowledge and obtain the necessary approvals. Atkins subsequently provided sign implementation support including manufacturer liaison and full artworking for over 90 map-based totems and directional fingerposts.

Legible London - various sites (2010 – ongoing)

Following the successful implementation of the Legible London South Bank and Bankside pilot, we are involved in the ongoing roll out of similar schemes across urban and suburban areas. Client and direct stakeholders in London include the following London Boroughs:

Westminster, City of London, Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Croydon, Hillingdon, Haringey, Ealing and Harrow.

Atkins produced high quality outputs throughout the project. Of particular note is the ability of the team to respond to changing circumstances and delivery to some very demanding deadlines.

The pilot area was chosen because of its complexity, and was always likely to pose a significant challenge to Atkins. The team’s work rose to meet it in the final product.

Ben Stephenson

Head of Policy and Development South Bank Employers Group

Richard Fullager

Legible London Programme Manager Transport for London

EXPERIENCE

Birmingham New Street Station (2011 – 2015)

Atkins was commissioned by Network Rail to develop a wayfinding and information strategy for the renovated station. The scope included the development of an overall strategy, as well as the implementation of the sign placement, content strategy and full sign artworking. The team has been heavily involved in the staged implementation of the system in line with the station’s complex construction phasing.

Coordination was key to the success of this project, not only communicating the wayfinding and information strategy to key stakeholders, but also coordinating with all other information workstreams including CIS and internal and external advertising.

EXPERIENCE

Dubai International Airport Wayfinding (2011 – 2012)

Atkins developed a wayfinding strategy, including sign placement and design, for both pedestrians and drivers for the external (landside) areas of Dubai Airport. We used our expertise to support context sensitive information design to ensure development of an inclusive wayfinding system for the diverse range of visitors and passengers using Dubai Airport. We communicated international best practice to the client team to enable us to progress a wayfinding strategy appropriate for the airport and its ongoing plans for growth. Effective liaison with the client meant that the system could integrate with the wayfinding requirements in the internal areas of the airport which were being progressed in a parallel task.

EXPERIENCE

Southampton Legible City (2010 – ongoing)

The team took forward a high level wayfinding strategy developed for Southampton City Council to system design and implementation. This included the integration of local branding and identity requirements for priority areas such as the Old Town and Cultural Quarter districts, achieved through close collaboration with Southampton’s Marketing & Communications department. Significant value-engineering exercises were undertaken from the outset to minimise fabrication and upkeep costs. This resulted in a highly cost-effective product range that is being successfully rolled out across the city centre and wider districts in strategic phases.

In addition, this on-street wayfinding system is also supported through other media to maximise public uptake and recognition. This includes free online resources, map handouts and leaflets distributed by the City Council and through third parties such as the universities, local businesses and cruise operators. This holistic ‘Legible City’ initiative has also led to consistently branded customer information for other transport modes across Southampton, including local bus infrastructure and the growing cycling network.

A note of thanks. The strategy presentation today was faultless, brilliantly pitched, the decision making process was excellent and well thought out. I cannot thank you all enough, it was fantastic.

Paul Walker Transport Policy Team Leader Southampton City Council

EXPERIENCE

Abu Dhabi Wayfinding: Walking and Cycling Masterplan (2010-2011)

The Department of Transport commissioned Atkins to develop a pedestrian and bikeway masterplan for the Emirate which built upon existing work to present a worldleading sustainable strategy.

The team developed a fully integrated pedestrian and cycle network for the Emirate across ten clear focus areas. The study presented a finalised network with complementary wayfinding and signage systems. A number of demonstration projects were also delivered to allow a clear and coherent visualisation of the Masterplan. Finally, a workstream of social marketing presented the Masterplan to key community groups, with long term partnering across the Emirate.

EXPERIENCE

Grand Central Shopping Centre, Birmingham (2011 – 2012)

Atkins was commissioned by Network Rail to develop a wayfinding strategy for the redevelopment of Grand Central shopping centre including the retail floor and the car park building and service areas. The proposed strategy carefully reviewed the building’s new layout and identified customers’ direction and information needs. In addition, the proposal included a sign placement strategy, including sign typologies and detailed sign messaging schedules. All of this was carried out in close collaboration with the wider shopping centre design team and key stakeholders, including the architects, engineers and retailers.

Image courtesy of Network Rail

EXPERIENCE

Peterborough Wayfinding Programme (2012 – 2013)

Having delivered the original city wayfinding strategy in 2011, we planned, designed and implemented a pedestrian signage system for Peterborough City Centre. The project scope included developing design guidelines as well as detailed product design and map cartography.

In addition, we provided product development and installation support for the roll out of the programme. This included the design of on-street totems which had the flexibility to be used for temporary wayfinding purposes (e.g. during major events), but also incorporate WiFi infrastructure as part of the city’s vision to provide a top quality experience for both residents and visitors alike.

The city centre is looking better than ever and it’s attracting new visitors. We need to make sure we’re selling Peterborough and telling people what there is to explore. Not only will these signs point people in the right direction, they will also give residents and visitors an insight into Peterborough’s unique heritage and history.

Councillor Janet Goodwin Cabinet Advisor to the Leader Business Engagement, Tourism and International Links Peterborough City Council

EXPERIENCE

Shanghai Metro Wayfinding (2012)

With the rapid expansion of Shanghai’s metro network into one of the largest in the world, the Atkins team was invited to carry out an independent assessment of Shanghai’s current wayfinding design standards. This included identifying design options or refinements to improve the overall visibility, legibility and uptake of station information. The overall objective was to support the upgrade of Shanghai’s current wayfinding system to a ‘Best Practice’ standard: creating a more international, multi-lingual system; and supporting accessibility for a growing, diverse range of metro users.

Atkins was able to provide distinct and prioritised recommendations to be incorporated into an updated version of the wayfinding design standards. These could then be taken forward for all future metro stations being built across the region, as well as included within any station refreshes planned for the coming years.

EXPERIENCE

Nanjing Metro Signage and Information Centre Design (2013)

Atkins supported the redesign of Nanjing Metro’s wayfinding and signage standards as part of the major expansion of the complex metro network in Nanjing, China. The review included identifying design and content recommendations for improving sign legibility and overall system consistency, including naming conventions and a glossary of terms for a dual language system. In addition, the commission included the development of information boards to include local area maps and station layout diagrams to aid passenger journeys inside and outside the stations. Our work included on-site audits and workshops with the client team to identify solutions that not only met existing design standards, but also responded to local requirements.

EXPERIENCE

Surrey Wayfinding (2013 – ongoing)

Atkins led the development of a brand new wayfinding system for Surrey County Council. The project focussed initially on three pilot areas, all of which had different needs and issues.

In collaboration with our creative design partners, the team developed a common graphical and cartographic standard for Surrey which responded to the requirements within the Local Sustainable Transport Fund and those identified within on-site user testing. The county-wide approach resulted in the creation of a comprehensive set of signage products within the core family. This enabled information to be provided to users in a wide variety of locations and in suitable formats, including for pedestrians and cyclists along Surrey’s many leisure trails.

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

EXPERIENCE

Gatwick Airport Pier 6 Extension (2013)

As part of the design team for the delivery of Gatwick’s Pier 6 extension, Atkins was commissioned to produce the wayfinding strategy for the airside areas of the redeveloped terminal building. This included identifying high level sign placement plans and sign types for the new signage, all in line with the airport’s existing design standards. The commission included a full desktop and on-site review of existing and future passenger circulation patterns, used to inform the product placement and information strategy.

Extensive client and stakeholder engagement was key to ensuring a practical, intuitive and cost-effective wayfinding system was adopted in the final solution. This included close coordination with the architects, engineers and wider redevelopment team.

EXPERIENCE

National Gallery of Ireland (2013 – 2016)

As part of its large-scale refurbishment project, The National Gallery of Ireland (NGI) commissioned Atkins to design a new internal wayfinding signage system, including a new strategy and product family. The Atkins Wayfinding team brought together a specialist team of designers to provide a combination of project management, technical and creative expertise.

The wayfinding study formed part of a high profile, prestigious architectural design project which was developed by a wider design team with input from multiple stakeholder parties. The Atkins team worked collaboratively with the client team, stakeholders and architects throughout delivery.

EXPERIENCE

The University of Surrey Wayfinding (2016 – ongoing)

For this unique collaboration between the University of Surrey and Surrey County Council, Atkins was commissioned to produce an appraisal study for the University of Surrey’s Stag Hill Campus. Following completion of the appraisal study, Atkins are conducting further design development and pilot implementation stages for a brand new wayfinding system, integrating with the Surrey County scheme, but with a unique visual identity bespoke for the University. Key aspirations of the project are to improve pedestrian permeability across the campus, review existing wayfinding provision and to create a composite design solution.

For the pilot phase of the project, the Atkins team is responsible for designing a brand new wayfinding strategy and mapping solution. The new design will be implemented across the Stag Hill Campus in a phased approach, with plans to install three new map-based products during the current pilot phase.

PLANNING MANAGEMENT ENGINEERING ARCHITECTURE