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

Free Creative Software

Earlier this month I read about the launch of "Google App Marketplace" and the possibilities it offers in the way of free (or cheap) services. Now the marketplace is specifically for developers, who pay a $100 a year fee, but we can still access the products contained within. Here is a list I found of the "Top 10 apps": http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2010/03/top-10-google-apps-marketplace-apps/ Pay special attention to "SlideRocket" and "Aviary", there is also "Picnik" which didn't make this list but is still great. I started using "Aviary" this week and it has been phenomenal. The services it offers are comparable to the "Adobe Creative Suite" but completely without cost. The "Aviary" software doesn't include some of the bells and whistles included with the Adobe products, but there is enough to get done most of what we are going to do. It really is a great way to work with an advanced editing program without tying yourself down to the cost of the Adobe software.

I really feel that Google is going to have a profound effect on how we educate in the future, and the "Marketplace" is just a small part of this. The bigger picture for me is the openness that it creates, and the possibilities that come with this openness. No longer will kids in rural communities be closed off from the "outside" world. The will be able to access "virtually" the great museums of the world and use software such as "Aviary" and "Picnik" to create their own images, without the school system spending any of their dwindling budget. I hope that Google sticks to it's mantra of "Don't be Evil" and continues to use its power for good, to help broaden all of our horizons. With products such as "Aviary" Google puts the creative power back in our hands, so that we are free to concentrate on the Visual Literacy skills we have been learning. If anyone is interested there is a great book on how Google is changing the way the world works: "What Would Google Do" by Jeff Jarvis. I am looking forward to reading what you all think about this software and if you have any questions let me know, I have been exploring these for about a week now and I will continue to in the future. If anyone knows of any other free software please post in the comments.

Visual Dictionary

This image of the heart is taken directly from the Visual Dictionary Online (http://visual.merriam-webster.com/about-visual_overview.php) , a tool I found when I was doing some basic research about visual literacy. It's very competent learning tool that verbally and visually defines a word. It's really cool, especially for a learner who may respond to both the verbal and visual cues this provides.

I think this type of resources is essential to the next step in e-learning. If I were teaching an online sports injury course I would be able to pull these images and show the injury to the exact bone or muscle and the students would be able to look up these images as well.

In class on Monday we talked about the importance of visual support for learners and how to create some effective images. What do you all think about this tool? (Be sure to check out the "themes" on the link...all kinds of cool stuff!) Would you use something like this as a student or as a teacher? What other types of online visual aids have you found that support learning?

I look forward to reading your responses!