course-details-portlet

IDG3950 - Wayfinding Systems

About

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: Portfolio
Grade: Passed / Not Passed

Evaluation Weighting Duration Grade deviation Examination aids
Portfolio 100/100

Course content

Signage and wayfinding for the built and outdoor environment.

Course topics:

  • What is wayfinding?
  • Human factors in wayfinding
  • Consequences of bad wayfinding systems
  • Multi-level strategies for developing wayfinding
  • Readability, legibility and positioning of signs
  • Locational, directional and directory signs
  • User-centered methods for wayfinding
  • Universal design in wayfinding
  • Digital and multi-modal wayfinding
  • The role of wayfinding systems in strategic design
  • Maps for wayfinding

Learning outcome

After completing the module, the student shall be able to analyse existing wayfinding and sign systems. The student shall further be qualified to suggest new wayfinding systems for the users of man-made environments, like for example a university campus, a hospital, a shopping mall or an airport. The student shall be qualified to account for psychological, cognitive, typographical, form and material-related issues in the design of wayfinding systems. The students shall be trained in the design and presentation of wayfinding systems, and shall be aware of universal design considerations in wayfinding. The student shall be informed about the use of and relation between traditional and new technology in wayfinding. The student shall be familiar with the importance of a systematic, holistic analysis in the process of designing wayfinding solutions and shall be trained in the use of user-centred methods like personas and scenarios, prototyping and user testing and involvment in the design process. Furthermore, the students shall have developed an increased awareness and competence about how the UN's sustainability goals can be included in the design of signage and wayfinding systems; specifically, how well-designed systems can reduce inequalities and contribute to the accessibility of man-made environments through principles of universal design (UN Sustainable Development Goal 10: "Reduced inequality") and how to take into account Sustainable Development Goal 12: "Responsible consumption and production" through the choice of materials and assessments of necessary design interventions.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, exercises, and group project with weekly supervision (formative-iterative evaluation). Sketches, the design process, and the end result must be documented.

Further on evaluation

The portfolio contain a design solution for, and documentation of, a wayfinding system.

The project is developed through an iterative process with weekly tutorials.

Final deliveries are submitted at the end of the course. The final project is presented to the class at the appointed time.

Summative evaluation at the end of the semester: Pass / fail.

If the course is failed, a new portfolio must be submitted through the next regular run-trough of the course.

Specific conditions

Admission to a programme of study is required:
Graphic Design (BMED)

Required previous knowledge

Admission to a program of study is required: Graphic Design (BMED) -

  • IDG1101 Typography 1
  • IDG1010 Typography 2
  • IDG2015 Strategic design

Course materials

Gibson, David (2009). The wayfinding handbook: information design for public places. New York: Princeton Architectural Press. Lynch, Kevin (1960). The image of the city. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press. Miller, Colette, and David Lewis (1999). Wayfinding: effective wayfinding and signing systems: guidance for healthcare facilities. London: NHS Estates and Stationary Office. (The campus library has five copies). SUPPORTIVE LITERATURE: Black, Alison, Paul Luna, Ole Lund, and Sue Walker (eds) (2017). Information design: research and practice. London og New York: Routledge. Mollerup, Per (2013). Wayshowing > wayfinding: basic and interactive. Baden: Lars Müller Publishers. Relevant klassenummer i NTNU i Gjøviks bibliotek: 302.23 Infodesign, 526, 720.103

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From To
IMT3950008 5.0 AUTUMN 2019
More on the course

No

Facts

Version: 1
Credits:  7.5 SP
Study level: Third-year courses, level III

Coursework

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  AUTUMN 2023

Language of instruction: English, Norwegian

Location: Gjøvik

Subject area(s)
  • Design Methodology
Contact information
Course coordinator: Lecturer(s):

Department with academic responsibility
Department of Design

Examination

Examination arrangement: Portfolio

Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
Autumn ORD Portfolio 100/100

Release
2023-11-17

Submission
2023-11-20


09:00


23:59

INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
  • * The location (room) for a written examination is published 3 days before examination date. If more than one room is listed, you will find your room at Studentweb.
Examination

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