October 24, 2008
Print Design
How to design a wayfinding system
There are two things I want to point you to here. First is Lance Wyman's work. He specializes in the design of wayfinding systems, as he defines it: "the branding, signs, maps and directional devices that tell us where we are, where we want to go, and how to get there." He is a master of it.
The second thing I want to note is the layout of his web site. It is a lesson in usability. It shows a time line of his work, uses a rollover image system to categorize the work (across the top, "Corporate," "Events," and so on), and it allows you to dig deeper by highlighting a logo and clicking through a string of images to see how it was developed and implemented. All from the same screen. Very interesting. (Thanks to son Rob for introducing me to Wyman's work following the designer's recent visit to VCU.)
Lance Wyman's one page wonder...
An excellent overview of Wyman's work and the development of wayfinding systems...
In the Ideabook Design Store: The Desktop Publisher's Idea Book...
Lance has some great looking work, and a really neat website.
I completely agree with you Chuck, the layout of his website is extremely user friendly, and works well for it's purpose. It's unfortunate that he's using Flash for the desired effects though.
Posted by: Tanner Christensen | October 24, 2008 3:46 PM
Great post Chuck. Lance Wyman is one of the all-time greats. The "One Page Wonder" is a good summation of his work, and I also think that the bio that accompanies the wayfinding info on webesteem is really well written.
Posted by: Mark Denton | October 30, 2008 2:59 PM