Studio Brief 01 - Wayfinding - Systems within stations

One of the benefits of suspended signage is that the angle is flexible, and usually there is nothing in the way making them ideal to enhance visibility and field of view.

This particular sign uses pictograms, typography and arrows. This gives as much information it can within a sign. 

However, does providing lots of information all on one sign make it busy and potentially confusing?

This is a simple, effective sign system with a minimalist look. It provides a single arrow, typography and pictograms. The line between the arrow and type also make it appear more structured and adds to the layout design.

Pictograms

Pictograms that represent toilets/restrooms are very common, yet many are diverse. 

Here, a simple outline of a human is shown bending over or running as if they are desperate for a toilet facility. Not much of the human body is needs to be recorded in the design for it to represent one. This particular design is present on a metal board that probably sticks out from a wall or object. The pictogram itself is 3D, which makes it feel more energetic and also helps it stand out more.

This minimalist design is very well, minimal. By using one curved line for each one to represent the human body and a circle for a head it is strangely very recognisable. These are 2D designs that have not been used in any context and they probably would work best being 2D if turned into materials.

Using pictograms within my wayfinding designs may be vital due to the fact millions of international passengers will pass through the station yearly. To accommodate those people who may not know the english language, pictograms act as a different language of their own that in their right, should be universal.

Arrows

 

Arrows exist simply to point to a direction, mostly seen in train stations they are positioned next to typography (information). 

With my designs I aim to create simple arrows that do not take anything away from the type or pictograms or distract. By keeping them simple it successfully does this. 

Type

When considering typography for signage and wayfinding, the scale is very important. If the typography does not look presentable from a distance in large scale or if it was to be suspended in air - these are things that need to be considered.

The typography would have to collaborate with the pictograms and arrows, as it would look odd if they didn't look cohesive.