Wayfinding: Meeting 02 - Idea Development

In our first set of ideas for the wayfinding system brainstormed within our first meeting, we decided to create a rail system with interchangeable boards that hook onto the rails. The panels would be made of metals and painted wood to create some variety within the system. 

These panels would be laser cut with the information for each department, room, etc and the plan was to reuse these cut out letters in other places within the university to reduce waste and help support the universities commitment to sustainability.

Below is a mock up I created for our original idea, showing the system implemented in one instance - using the rails as well as a few panels showing the department as well as room number, and with directions to other rooms also.

After deliberation in meeting 2, we decided to change our concept. After researching into materials and the metals and processes we'd need to create the wayfinding system, we decided to come up with a different idea.

Looking again at the brief we realised that we could create something more original than our existing idea and we also realised we had no budget to limit us with our concept - so we began to look at more innovative and modern ideas.

"Consider what you COULD have, what would be a place to work that comes from your creative imagination. No budget, no restrictions. Consider what could be amazing…be aware of what architects and interiors can be, go nuts BUT remember you must have a real reason to base this presentation on, meaning WHY and also consider technology and what technology can be used not just for now, but consider the next 10 years or more. Get a story together, a rationalised presentation that both engages and wows.''

Our considerations turned to the modern world and the people that would be using the wayfinding system day to day. As the population of the university is primarily young adults as students, we thought that creating a virtual system as opposed to a physical one could be more successful and would be a more fun and interesting idea to pitch.

Our reasons to turn to technology:

- accessible
- constantly updated (longevity)
- low cost
- no physical labour or alterations to the building
- ease of use
- no environmental damage
- time saving

- also no budget if it was to be implemented (even though budget wasn't a limitation)

Many museums and exhibitions already use utilise technology within wayfinding and guiding, using speakers/headphones to guide visitors around the space. We wanted to take elements of this and use within our system, but translate them into visual aids.

Augmented reality

Augmented Reality turns the environment around you into a digital interface by placing virtual objects in the real world, in real-time. 

Uses:

Its use within a home environment such as this app created for IKEA allows shoppers to visualise furniture within their homes before buying. 

Augmented reality is used above in industry to enable construction workers to visualise machinery/equipment and be able to develop a deeper understanding of it in order to improve and repair. 

The above example of using augmented reality within wayfinding in a public setting is one we are going to take inspiration from. 

Pokemon Go

One popular and recent use of augmented reality within popular culture has been Pokemon go, an app which places virtual Pokemon within the users environment and encourages users to get outside and collect all Pokemon.

In our next meeting as a group we will be coming up with designs for an app which allows users to be guided through the university building using augmented reality.