Although wayfinding may be associated with signage, designers emphasize its significance should only be seen as part of an overall wayfinding plan. Nguyen from Page notes: “Signage serves as punctuation in sentences. You should look to natural architectural cues such as form, color and finish changes to guide your eye.” Eventually your eyes follow patterns.
“Once there’s an alteration to materials or structures, it becomes clear that decisions must be made. Therefore, signage should exist to both provide guidance and aid people when making these choices.”
Signage should never be seen as a short cut to true wayfinding, especially when new buildings or departments relocate. Designers argue that too much signage only makes matters worse by adding visual clutter, conflicting signals, and derailing any thoughtful wayfinding strategies implemented initially.
Signs alone won’t help most people navigate healthcare spaces, as Von Lehe observes. “We can label all day long,” Von Lehe states, “but when a stressed-out family member visits the nurses station to ask how to reach a particular destination, instead of discussing signs she will likely receive advice like: ‘Go down this corridor and turn right at the bear statue.'”
Landmarks–like the bear statues HDR placed throughout its recent project for Children’s of Omaha–are an essential component of healthcare wayfinding. HGA’s Day emphasizes their significance: “Landmarks provide assurance that one is on the correct track.”