Wayfinding Analysis – Overview

What is it?

• A comprehensive study that identifies user patterns and destinations producing a solution that establishes clear pathways for visitors to independently find their way from point to point.      

Why is it needed?

• Architects, today, are generally doing a much better job of creating architectural cues that support wayfinding.  For instance, key destination areas along hallways are highlighted literally with brighter lights, accent carpeting, furnishings, and dimensional wall treatments.  This is also done to highlight key hallway intersections to catch the visitor’s eye.  When this is done well, minimal directional signage is needed.
  
  The greatest need for wayfinding solutions exists in larger facilities and particularly in larger and older facilities that have had, through growth over time,  numerous remodels and additions.  Complexity of the facility seems to increase exponentially with each addition making it more and more difficult for customers and visitors to find their destinations.

How do we go about doing a wayfinding analysis?

• ABC SignWorks developed what we call “The Decision Point Wayfinding Analysis”™ which effectively identifies user patterns and destinations.
  
  Taking a Pareto (80/20) approach, it begins with interviews of facility staff to identify key entrances – those that handle the greatest volume of visitors.  Next, key destination areas of visitors are identified; i.e., Admitting, Radiology, Patient Room Tower would be key destination areas in a hospital.  Information Systems or Laundry, while critical to the operation of the hospital, would probably not make the list of the 20% of destination areas looked for by 80% of visitors.
  
  A “decision point” is defined as any location along a route where a visitor must make a decision to go one of two or more ways.  All decision points are identified between key entrances and key destinations and analyzed for a possible directional sign that would include all key destination areas that lie ahead in each direction.

What’s the deliverable – how is the solution presented?

1. A floor plan with the location of each proposed sign locations indicated.

2. A paper image of every proposed directional sign for testing purposes.

3. A proposed sign design that accommodates needs for changeability and complements interior finishes.