More than wayfinding…

When towns or cities recognise they have a need for wayfinding, usually because they discover that visitors are lost or that destinations are being underused their first reaction is to install signs. This is however not surprising, wayfinding is after all a point to point navigation exercise, and signage is the most obvious and visible tool to undertake this task.

While signage can be an important part of a solution, this view of both the objectives and
limitations of a wayfinding system will limit its potential benefits and outcomes. An effective system will actually consider much more than just signage, and if done correctly, it will have benefits that go far beyond simply helping people find their destination, and so a good wayfinding is actually part of a wider information system. An information system is a integrated set of visual and physical components for the communicating and delivery of wayfinding and interpretational information.

A holistic approach to wayfinding will look at every possible point of contact with a user of the information system, from the time they begin contemplating and planning their journey through until they reach their final destination and beyond.

The result will be something more than just an effective wayfinding or signage system. It will actually play a leading role in shaping the overall user experience, which is a critical component in creating strong sense of place and identity. 


Wayfinding is much more than signage.