Designers today put a lot of thought coming
up with wayfinding signage for people that frequently visit an area. In the
past, text the was main source for public location presentation, but has proven
to be counter productive to say the least.
With all this in mind, a general question
arises. What is wayfinding signage?
Wayfinding signage is visual representation
concerned with directing you from point to point or confirming your route
progress. The main purpose behind these visuals is to let the people navigate
the environment. Even if the text is not understandable or there is a language
barrier, you interpret the visual easily.
This visual understandably is for pedestrian
crossing even if placed in any country. You easily process it in your thoughts
and interpret without any language barrier.
DigitalWayfinding Signage: Showing Instead of Telling
With the use of smartphones and tablets,
navigation has become very easy for people to explore the surrounding. While
Google maps and other navigation systems are useful, they are just one piece of
a huge puzzle. Digital wayfinding kiosks
provide you with excellent solutions tailored for your ease of access. Using
digital touchscreens or maps in 3D can help you visualize your navigation
properly.
People today are accustomed of having easier
access to their information. Digital wayfinding is a more modern approach to
help navigate the people towards their destination.
Better Visual, Better Business
Today businesses maintain their digital
directories by behavior based user data collection based on searches and
clicks. This lets them review and analyze the effectiveness of their digital
libraries.
Businesses with a high traffic make use of
this data to know about frequently visited services or stores. This helps
building strategies that makes shops easier to find. Through the analytical
data, businesses design their content accordingly.
The user data can help businesses like malls
or airports to expand their offerings and make improvements where necessary.
The shops that appeal most to customers can be determined through the search
volumes present.
Ecological Advantage
An advantage of using digital solutions is
that it is not only cost effective, but also environmental friendly. No more
paper, print or wastage. In addition, there is no staff required to put up or
take down the signs or notices.
If considered in long run, these are more
environmentally sustainable and cheap as compared to printed information.
Stress Reduction and Attractive
Sometimes, trying to find your destination go
can be stressful at times. Interactive solutions let you guide yourself at your
own pace and in total control therefore more relaxed. This also creates a
positive user experience and you think favorably for the institution. Being
more efficient, there is less congestion in lobbies as people head to a kiosk,
take information and head off.
Good design is an essential part of any
digital wayfinding deployment. Adding motion text or imagery attracts the
attention towards that kiosk and get them interested in the layout. Use of
color schemes also reinforce your brand in a positive way. The more attractive
the point is, the more visits it will get.
As digital kiosks are self-service based, it
frees up staff from directing all day long. Giving them more time to be
productive and focus towards customer service. This helps increase both staff
and customer satisfaction levels.
Powerful Integrations and Inclusion
You have the liberty to present the
information as it best suits you. You can easily update what is on the screen
or present information about an offer any way you want. It can be connected
through a web based UI or updated through your own database. Connected devices
allows you to make prompt changes and scheduling software additions. The sky is
the limit as to what you can do.
A well thought out design along with a proper
navigation option is an ADA compliant requirement. This means everyone has the
right to have access to a deployment regardless of any disability. Giving the
users a fun, modern experience free from any discrimination.
Final Word
Seeing as offices reorganize or shops
relocate, printed maps and signs can quickly become outdated. Digital
wayfinding signage solutions adopts these changes with ease. With the ability
to update the content in a manner of seconds. Navigation kept updated without
having to print a large bundle and installing posters.
Digital deployments have and added feature of
displaying non-directional content. Which means when the navigation is not in
use, it can display weather forecast, news or other content.
It can present a huge
amount of information on a single screen using an interactive feature. Adding
buttons and other features to double it as a place for more general information
and options. You can also add other stuff like mission statement or history of
the institution, along with an off-site café menu. You can let your imagination
run wild by taking advantage of digital solutions.