Signage and Wayfinding Design – Concept Testing
User testing done with paper and tape
Walk the diagram
user test the scheme
The Walkable Diagram
Test the system in a sandbox. Model the visitor journey and then walk in their shoes. Using simple tools such as tape and paper signs we can make a model that is large enough to walk through the decision points. Like a giant board game, we can set tasks, change the rules, test language and see who gets the prize.
Interrogate the concept
Great breakthrough design is both exhilarating in its promise and often challenging to adopt.
Once we have a scheme it is useful to refer to the original brief and stakeholder input to compile a list of testing tasks. This is best done early. Before signs are designed, produced or installed.
Distilling a wayfinding system to its paths and decisions leaves us free to interrogate its methodology with little penalty.
We can even change destination names so those recognising the layout have to rely on the scheme to complete tasks. We can ask the CEO to go find Snoopy.
This is an opportunity to observe the system pros and cons.
Conceptual diagram of New York Transit Authority wayfinding, Unimark International Consultant Designers.
Independent Testing
In the interests of openness we suggest the testing sessions be run by an independent party trained in research and oriented to optimising client outcomes.