Designs systems are a collection of components, principles with logic built-in and procedures, primarily used for maintaining consistency and managing design at scale. In this multi-part series, I explore Design Systems as Wayfinding, as identity, as artifacts, and as symbol systems.
What is Wayfinding?
If you write the word Wayfinding on a digital device and you’re in the US, you’ll see the attention-seeking red dotted line under this word. That is because this word doesn’t exist in US English. However, the Oxford dictionary added it to its word bank in 2015, defining it as ‘The act of finding one’s way to a particular place; navigation.’
According to The Society for Experiential Graphic Design, or SEGD,
“Wayfinding refers to information systems that guide people through a physical environment and enhance their understanding and experience of the space.”
Fundamentally, Wayfinding is a system of elements working together to assist the user to orient themselves and navigate to a specific location. Before GPS, Maps and Signage, humans used the moon, sun, and stars to determine their position and guide them, for example, the Ocean. Compasses which indicate direction relative to the Earth’s magnetic poles were being used for navigation by the 1100s C.E, and are still one of the most familiar navigation tools in the world.
Why do we need Wayfinding?
The Polynesians used the knowledge of the Celestial bodies and their relationship to the Earth to navigate an unforgiving environment where getting lost would mean perishing. In their situation, safety was paramount. For them, the fundamental purpose of Wayfinding was safety. Millenniums later, the same human need is still at play and one of the primary functions of Wayfinding.
It is crucial to recognize the importance of maintaining a uniform design system across various Wayfinding elements.
Here is an instance where design systems in Wayfinding prove to be beneficial by ensuring consistency and enhancing the dependability of the navigation components -
Milan Metro Signage System
Franco Albini & Bob Noorda, 1964
Milan Metro Signage System is a wayfinding system used in the Milan Metro, the rapid transit system serving the city of Milan, Italy. The system was designed by Bob Noorda and Franco Albini in the 1960s, and it has become a classic example of effective and elegant wayfinding design.
In my recent trip to Milan, I was able to appreciate the design system of Metropolitana di Milano even without knowing Italian. It uses a simple and intuitive visual language, with a combination of colors, icons, and typography, to help passengers navigate the complex network of subway lines, stations, and exits. The system features a distinctive typeface called “Metrolight,” which was specifically designed for the Milan Metro and is still used today. Bob Noorda, Franco Albini and Franca Helg were honored with the Golden Compass Award in 1964 the year Line 1 for their work on the Milan Metro.
Notable parts of the Milan Metro Signage system and how it integrates with other Wayfinding elements:
- Color coordinated band that stretches through the walls inside each station.
- The colored bands integrate with architectural elements like railings and entrances.
- The Milano Metro Network map, as an example of complex set of information presented in a way that looks so simple. The colors coordinates with signage and other architectural elements in the line.
The Milan Metro Signage system has influenced the design of other transit systems around the world. However, when the second line opened, five years later than the first line. It has been reported that Noorda was unhappy with the alterations made to his original vision for Milan’s metro system. It is also believed that the initial project did not receive the recognition it deserved.
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Increasingly, wayfinding systems have started incorporating or heavily relying on screens, mobile applications and other technologies. This shift is likely due to the increasing need for real-time information that traditional static signage cannot provide. Digital Signage has numerous benefits, such as dynamic and interactive routes, and real-time updates on service interruptions. Overall, incorporating technology in Wayfinding systems can enhance the usability and effectiveness of the systems, providing a more user-friendly and efficient experience for people navigating through public spaces, transportation hubs, and other environments.
As an Architect turned Product Designer, the future of wayfinding is exciting!
References
https://segd.org/what-wayfinding
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-20/the-undervalued-simplicity-of-bob-noorda-s-vision-for-milan-s-metro
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/navigation/
https://www.designworkplan.com/read/wayfinding-introduction
