Wayfinding design is one of the most important investments you can make in your business. At its core, wayfinding design utilizes signage, mapping, and design systems to help navigate users through a space. In addition to creating well-structured paths and routes for visitors, wayfinding design utilizes landmarks as orientation cues and produces an identity at each location. In other words, it brings calm and direction to an area.
That being said, wayfinding design is more than just the signs and the graphics. It is also a highly useful branding tool and a spatial problem-solving system. When devised and implemented correctly, wayfinding design has the capacity to transform a space, and your business.
To learn more about it, keep reading for the essential things you need to know about wayfinding design and why your small business needs it.
1. Wayfinding design can bring a variety of benefits to your small business.
There is a reason that more and more small businesses are utilizing wayfinding design – it works! As a small business owner, you want to make sure you are doing everything you can to attract people to your space, and using effective signage and wayfinding systems is one proven way to accomplish this. In fact, many consumers enter a business for the first time as a result of the signs that they saw.
In addition to helping people find your business, effective wayfinding design also aids you in building brand equity as it can play a significant role in your branding and marketing efforts. In order to obtain as much brand recognition from potential customers as possible, you need to have a wayfinding system in place as it is a powerful medium to display a cohesive (and consistent) brand story.
When it comes to the customer, an effective wayfinding system creates a sense of space that helps them to feel comfortable and relaxed. After all, the last thing you want is to make potential consumers feel aggravated because they are unable to navigate an area or are bothered by confusing signage. Instead, the best wayfinding programs provide users with an enjoyable experience.
2. Effective wayfinding design requires some essential elements.
The most powerful wayfinding systems are subtle yet effective. In order to achieve this, you must incorporate your branding and individual concept, as well as some essential elements. The first non-negotiable is user-friendly language, as this will ensure that visitors are able to understand the wayfinding signage. Additionally, the font must be clear, and the font size should be large enough to be readable from a distance.
Furthermore, it is crucial that you create sign standards that can be followed throughout the space. Not only will this help you to maintain consistency in the current system, but it will also enable you to expand it when necessary. Keep in mind that consistency has to be prioritized throughout your system; otherwise, it can quickly become frustrating and misleading to visitors.
Last but not least, make sure that each element of your wayfinding system has a clear purpose. Whether it is installed at an entrance, at a wayfinding decision point, or in an interior lobby, each element has to be an integral part of a larger plan that works.
3. There are also trends in wayfinding design.
Just as in other forms of design, the wayfinding design world has trends that come and go. That being said, you want to ensure you are selective with the trends that you utilize because you don't want your system to be looking out-of-date in a couple of years. Therefore, when considering wayfinding design trends, make sure you are thinking about which ones align with your brand's vision and persona.
Every year, wayfinding becomes more digitized and connected, and this year is no different. Therefore, some of the biggest trends in wayfinding design are related to these emerging technologies and ways that they can be utilized to make wayfinding systems accessible to all. For example, digital accessibility is becoming an essential step in ensuring online wayfinding tools (such as highlighting wheelchair accessible routes) are available to all users.
Another growing area of wayfinding design involves interactive 3D options that allow users to touch, zoom, and rotate wayfinding tools to use them more effectively. The development of interactive indoor mapping solutions is resulting in less confusion and improved movement throughout spaces.
Last but not least, Artificial intelligence (AI) is continuing to be adopted and is one of the biggest wayfinding trends. As AI can understand an individual's habits and movements, it is particularly helpful in wayfinding systems. Over time, AI will become more personalized and will be equipped to tailor wayfinding directions and messages.
4. Effective wayfinding design requires professionals.
No matter what style of wayfinding design you want or how big your business is, if you want it to be effective, then you need to bring in the professionals. After all, they know how to balance your aesthetic needs with the practical demands of the space in a way that enhances everyone's experience.
When looking for signage solutions in Dubai (or wherever your business is located), you want to ensure that you are selecting the right wayfinding design company for you and the project. One of the most important things to look for in a potential company is a portfolio of work that is similar to your project. As there are a myriad of ways to design wayfinding systems, looking at a firm's portfolio will give you a better idea of their style and approach.
Additionally, your chosen design company should have highly qualified designers and technicians on the team who can offer you a comprehensive approach to the project. You should feel comfortable speaking your mind and asking questions, and they should provide you with excellent customer service. One of the best ways to ascertain this is by looking at previous customer's reviews.
Are you a small business that is considering implementing wayfinding design this year? Why or why not? Do you have any additional questions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
AUTHOR BIO
Zak Zakaria is a Waymaker at dezigntechnic in Dubai who also previously worked as the company's Graphic Designer and Art Director. Zak is a creative with work experience in multiple multinational agencies such as JWT and Saatchi & Saatchi. Signage design is a family business, making Zak's personal experience with signage his longest professional commitment.