Studio Brief 1 - Wayfinding - Final Crit and Evaluation

Full Final Crit Feedback and Evaluation

Full Final Crit Notes

During the Final crit it was suggested that the extensions on the ‘arrows’ were too thin and possibly would not stand out enough on all stone or concrete ground. Changing the thickness of the line and changing the colour to either yellow or white, it was said, would create more of a contrast with the ground. Another thing to take into consideration was the way distance was shown in my directional arrows. Most understood the concept, however there were questions over whether the distance could be shown more precisely. All of the symbols in the system are relatively close together so you would find the next one with the general distance indication. However, it was suggested that numbers could be put under the extensions in the arrows or in the angles in the arcs to show the number of steps or turnings to the next spot. It was questioned as to whether tilting the circular symbols in the same direction as the arrows was effective, however I explained that when they were all facing the same way it would look strange if you saw it from different angles.  It was said that in my system I could also propose to paint the owls or spotlight them to increase visibility at the locations, however this wouldn’t be part of the wayfinding system, rather the event. The use of owls evoked the image of wiseness for some, so it was said I could integrate riddles into the system for people to try and decipher. There were questions as to how you know what the wayfinding system is for, however if you were doing the trail you would know that it was part of it. Also, the designs are subjective interpretations of the places and their uses with reference to owls in an abstract manner which would mean the full meaning would not be understood fully. However, the system works well as a wayfinding system, in terms of directing and positioning the viewer in the best viewing spots.

Full Project Evaluation

The system makes reference to the Leeds Coat of Arms through the use of colour, the directional symbols mimic the vision of an owl and the pictograms reflect a sense of each of the locations. The design has worked well in reflecting the three points of interest initiated in my research, heraldry, the owls themselves and each of the locations history, use or sense.

The wayfinding system mixes both objective and subjective aspects, with the pictograms being developed from subjective adjectives, describing the different locations on the trail. Using shape principles from Frutiger and Hoffman, objective designs were created to represent the different places, allowing less literal responses. Although represented objectively in theory, the subjective nature of the initial adjectives has made the design subjective in appearance. The system made use of grids when constructing the pictograms, suggesting there is an objectivity and rigidity to the design process. However, using established shape principles also has a subjective nature, as the designer will interpret the information in their own way.

During the final crit it was suggested that the extensions on the ‘arrows’ were too thin and possibly would not stand out enough on all stone or concrete ground. Changing the thickness of the line and changing the colour to either yellow or white, it was said, would create more of a contrast with the ground. Another thing to take into consideration was the way distance was shown in my directional arrows. Most understood the concept, however there were questions over whether the distance could be shown more precisely. All of the symbols in the system are relatively close together so you would find the next one with the general distance indication. However, it was suggested that numbers could be put under the extensions in the arrows or in the angles in the arcs to show the number of steps or turnings to the next spot.

The symbols could potentially be difficult to reproduce using spray paint as multiple colours are needed. When creating the wayfinding points which have more than one arrow it would be especially difficult. To make it easier to produce, creating the stencil out of something more substantial may make the process quicker and less labour intensive. Also, spray paint is a temporary fixture, although the most appropriate for application to the ground, over time it would degenerate. Also the material does not reflect the permanence of the owls so perhaps this could have been reflected by creating the system out of something more substantial.

Another consideration would be that because the pictograms are not directly representational, viewers would need a guide or key to understand the locations that they represent.

Overall, the system works well as a wayfinding system, in terms of directing and positioning the public to the best viewing spots.