Thursday 20 November 2014

How to evaluate Wayfinding Systems

Many experts have commented on the need of a scale that that be used to evaluate the success of any wayfinding system. this is important because there is really no way of discovering facts that could distinguish between a quality and not up the standard wayfinding system.

For any large venue, wayfinding system is the only way of getting people to their destination and avoiding mass confusion. This is particularly true in the case of large and distributed venues like stadiums and hospitals. Wayfinding system makes it easier for the people to understand where they are and how to get to their next point within the system.

The system for evaluating the success of a wayfinding system should include the satisfaction of the people in finding their way around the building. This is the real test of any wayfinding system. Any system that fits these criteria would be regarded as successful in its intended purpose.

The first of these criteria is the question of placement. is the system located at places and positions that a person would seek out? This is an important question because over years, people have been conditioned to look for wayfinding signs at certain locations within a building. In order to be successful, the wayfinding system should be able to use these positions and placements.

The second criterion is the question of quality of guidance. If the wayfinding system is able to direct the visitors to their intended location with minimum of problems, the system is deemed as successful.

An important part of the second question is location discovery. Wayfinding systems should be able to pinpoint the present location of the visitor. This is usually done thorough the famous “You Are Here” star or tag on the locale’s map.