Client
American Innovative Center
(American Institute in Taiwan)
Skills
Wayfinding System
Signage Design
UX Design
User Research
UI Design
My role
UX Designer
User Researcher
Timeline
Nov. 2023 - May. 2024
Team
Lin Ting-Yi
Hsu Chih-Ning
Wu Ping-Chun
Shih Yu-En
Cheng Yung-Chi
Overview
AIC Wayfinding Design: A DEIA Thinking Approach
Nestled in the sprawling Songshan Cultural and Creative Park (SCCP), the American Innovation Center (AIC) faced a significant issue: visitors struggled to locate it. SCCP’s vastness and historical layout made navigation difficult, leaving many unsure of where they were or how to reach the AIC. As a UX design team, we were tasked with solving this problem. We integrated DEIA principles (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility) into the entire design process, ensuring that every visitor, regardless of their background or ability, could easily and comfortably navigate their way to the AIC.
As a UX designer, I mapped out and executed the research plan to understand the complex dynamics of users. I also designed orientation patterns used to identify the navigation directions in the park.
Impact
Implemented on AIC's official website, reaching 8M+ annual visitors.
Featured in 12 news press worldwide.
Design question
How can we transform a historically complex environment into an intuitive and accessible experience for all visitors?
Research
Why can't people navigate to their destinations?
We began by thoroughly investigating SCCP’s current wayfinding system. Through field study, observations, and interviews with both visitors and staff, we uncovered critical pain points:
👀
Legibility Issues
Visitors have a hard time identifying signs, especially at night or in crowded areas.
😞
Struggle to locate key areas
Visitors struggled to locate key areas like restrooms, exits, or the second floor.
❌
Inconsistent signage system
The layout and flow of the signage system confused people with limited directional signs and inconsistent styles.
We took the approach of exploring the SCCP in person to understand not only the layout of actual signages, but also focusing on the cognitive challenges under different areas of the park. Summarizing these insights in forms of maps gave us fresh perspectives by taking a holistic view of the current situation.
Target users of the system
4 different intentions + 8 types of visitors
The personas we identified ranged from families on weekend outings to tourists, elderly visitors with visual impairments, and business clients attending AIC events. These varied user needs helped shape our design goals.
Leisure
Families spending quality time together during holidays.
Foreign tourists for sightseeing and exploration.
Elderly individuals with visual impairments performing daily exercises
Education
Students looking for inspiration.
Citizens participating in AIC events.
Shopping
A petty bourgeoisie girl shopping at the park.Citizens participating in AIC events.
A sports enthusiast who just finished watching a game.
Business
Startup teams and clients visiting for business purposes.
Design study
Understanding how people navigate and where they fall into difficulties
Through multiple rounds of field studies, we mapped out each type of persona's navigation behaviors. We identified typical navigation routes, key touch points with signage, and their pain points.
Design approach
People have their own comfortable ways of navigating…
Despite the current challenges in navigation, it came to us that different types of users have their own comfortable way of navigating. This allowed us to better define valuable qualities necessary for our wayfinding system to reach a broad source of audience.
Design solution
So what did we do to solve the problem?
We approached with four distinctive aspects to reshape the wayfinding system in SCCP. Our primary goal was to create a wayfinding system that adhered to DEIA principles while solving the existing usability challenges. Here’s how we applied DEIA in each design stage:
01 . Information Hierarchy
Fixing the problem from the fundamentals
Divide the park information into different hierarchy, allowing users to progressively narrow down the scope according to the sequence of hierarchy, starting from larger spaces and gradually focusing until they reach their destination.
02 . Orientation
Incoporating historical value into signage design
In memory of the historical meanings of SCCP park, we transformed the four-step process of tobacco production into patterns, each representing one of the four corridors of the tobacco factory, will enhance the recognition of these corridors. This approach integrates the historical and cultural significance of Songshan into the signage system.
03 . Icon re-design
Enhance visibility of icons
In line with the diverse and vibrant image of SCCP, we've designed exclusive signage symbols for the park. Additionally, we've created both outlined and solid versions to cater to various applications and enhance visibility.
04 . Ergonomic considerations
Making the system accessible for all!
Font Choice
We selected a universal, high-legibility font to ensure readability across all environments. Our signage was designed with optimal field-of-view positioning, taking into account the varying heights and line-of-sight needs of different visitors.
Field of View
Taking into account the varying needs of different demographics, we design layouts based on their height (The line of sight height is approximately the height of a person minus 10 centimeters) and line of sight to ensure that key information falls within their typical field of vision. Prioritize placing important information or frequently used information in optimal line-of-sight positions for user convenience.
Angle of map
To facilitate users' intuitive correlation between the map and the real space, the maps on the signage will reflect different directions or perspectives based on their placement locations.
Color Vision Test
The park's color code is planned with DEIA principles, and undergoes preliminary color vision tests to ensure recognition by all groups.
Design approach
Types of Wayfinding signages
Impact
Finding AIC: An Interactive exhibition of Accessible Wayfinding System
The project culminated in the Finding AIC Exhibition, showcasing the journey from research to design solutions. Visitors could experience firsthand how thoughtful information design and strategic signage enhanced their ability to navigate the park intuitively. It was an honor to have presented the design to John Dow, Cultural Officer of the American Institute in Taiwan, and many news press to convey the importance of how design can shape inclusive, equitable environments for all.
Impact
Featured in 12 national and international news articles
Central News Agency: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/ahel/202405040030.aspx
Liberty Times: https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/4662143
The New Student: https://www.tssdnews.com.tw/?FID=64&CID=738166
Storm Media: https://www.storm.mg/localarticle/5112706
CTS News: https://news.cts.com.tw/cna/life/202405/202405042319339.html
United Daily News: https://udn.com/news/story/6928/7941932
YAHOO News: https://pse.is/5wg9sz
Central News Agency Platform: https://www.cna.com.tw/postwrite/Chi/369837
PCHOME News: https://news.pchome.com.tw/living/cna/20240504/index-17147919203812918009.html
Yam News: https://n.yam.com/Article/20240504135821
MSN News: https://pse.is/5wg9u8
NewsBuffet: https://nb.aotter.net/post/6635a99085ed2968a234b8e0
Looking back
A Quick Recap
Pain Points
Inconsistent signage system
Challenge to identify orientation
Lack of accessibility considerations
Solutions
Rebuild information architecture
Redefining orientation
Redesigning icons
Implement ergonomics considerations
Reflection
View broadly, but reach for the niche.
Working with such a complex dynamic as wayfinding, it really broadened my perspective to understanding the relationship between people, environment, and information. From addressing behavioral patterns to managing cognitive load, I learned to think with the DEIA principles in mind, which gave me the opportunity to practice creativity with accessibility. Moving forward, I’m excited to continue creating inclusive, transformative designs that positively impact society!
Next Project
HTC
