International Wayfinding

First off, apologies for the late post. I was absolutely convinced that next week was my week! Comps is destroying my mind! :)

Over the course of this semester, I've been introduced to the concept of wayfinding. David Gibson, author of The Wayfinding Handbook: Information Design for Public Places, defines wayfinding roughly as the process that people undergo when they're navigating public places, basically to find their way...a system of using various implicit & explicit cues in the environment to help people find destinations. Wayfinding projects can be a simple, single landmark or feature sign, or complex systems of signage and maps for a hospital complex, university campus, or an entire municipality. According to Gibson, "an effective wayfinding program can easily balance the needs of the different constituencies, supporting and enabling a positive experience" (18). 1

Often, we don't notice an effective system, but we definitely notice an ineffective one! Ever tried to find the restroom in a foreign country? Fifteen years ago, I went on a class trip to Europe. After several weeks of cunfusion and bumbling, tourist-like behavior, I was thrilled to arrive on the United Kingdom leg of our trip. Finally! I could speak the language! Navigation was going to be a snap. But what on earth did all those "W.C." signs mean?...

it's gotten better. I was in the U.K. again over Christmas this year, and the trend seems to have moved to more iconic representations. Still not the same as here in the U.S., but at least recognizable.

I recently listened to a podcast with Gibson about his book, and the question came up about the effect of globalization on wayfinding. 2 Different cultures have different meanings for colors, symbols, and framework of information display. Whithin our own culture, there is a movement to eliminate displays of "sexism" in communication, so forget your pink vs. blue, or skirt vs. pants signage.

What methods can a designer use to create systmes for a culture that they are not familiar with, or for an international audience?

And just for fun, a few examples of interpretations of important signage:
http://sensemaya.org/files/toilet_signs_57_3.jpg

http://uummeaw.exteen.com/images/2007/final.jpg

http://forum.gaijinpot.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3366&stc=1&d=1163418798

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoLqSRBJuvVezdWvnj5Q8Cv8b6df1Vxr7eBtzc4jO31njURGaJ3eMldDrrT9Piop5nKzW38OwfnEu9nOQeBwYkn_JHMv39y1_FQ1Told9J5nBSwcZH3OnBdiZGPNTmr2MpwThfT-N6PM4/s1600-h/toilet_signs_43.jpg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3rxObNMSdqPxwdrgQkR5n6HG0CazzxLaT61I9kc4wEaRY6EGmsWcYYOuZdWkDgbyE1unYR3FmV3e94fWFsGl6P-qoxFCZ-9TYIsC-XgRpon1Qj4tz32FWnyjmSY8vJjoFC_chYBwpJ9u/s1600-h/toilet_signs_44.jpg

http://www.fortunefavours.net/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=12