Signage system at IIT Guwahati, Thesis Report

SIGNAGE SYSTEM for IIT Guwahati

Submitted in Partial Fulﬁllment of the Requirements
For the Degree of
MASTER of DESIGN

By:
Deepak Kumar ( 07420511 )

Project Guide:
Prof. Pradeep Yammiyavar FDRS

Department Of Design
INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY GUWAHATI
NORTH GUWAHATI, ASSAM - 781039

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the thesis work titled
“ SIGNAGE SYSTEM for IIT Guwahati ”
is an authentic work carried out

by

Deepak Kumar
Roll no - 07420511
Department of Design
IIT Guwahati Assam

at

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Guwahati 781039, Assam, India

For the award of M. Des. Degree during the academic year 2008-2009
The matter embodied in this project has not been submitted earlier for the award of any degree or diploma to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Project Guide: Examiner 1 : ..........................

...........................
Prof. Pradeep Yammiyavar Examiner 2 : ..........................
Professor
IIT Guwahati, Assam Examiner 3 : ..........................

M.Des’09
Department of DESIGN, IITGuwahati

IPR Declaration
Deepak Kumar

I declare that in accordance to the IPR norms generally followed
in Academics, I have acknowledged appropriately all sources of
material / content including visuals / designs / copy rights
accessed from others authors / sources /references and used in
this project as part of the academic reporting.

I declare that the contents of this project report including visuals /
designs other than those whose origin / source has been
appropriately acknowledged, are a result of original efforts.

Signature:

Deepak Kumar
M.Des (07420511)
Department of DESIGN
IIT Guwahati

Signage System for IIT Guwahati

M.Des’09

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Deepak Kumar

My thesis is a culmination of my ideas, experiences and work.
They have been moulded by several very special people along
the way. Without these people I would not stand at this threshold
today. I would first like to thank my family for all that they have
given me: love, support, cherished memories and the strength
which has placed me where I am today.
I would like to express deep gratitude to my guide Prof. Pradeep
Yammiyavar for his guidance, encouragement and gracious
support throughout the course of our work, for his expertise in the
field that motivated me to work in this area and for his faith in me
at every stage of this research.

I look forward to continue working with him and further
developing our relationship.

I would like to thank all the faculty and staff of Department of
Design for their support throughout and last but not the least
special thanks to Prakash, Vikash, Vikram and Pravin for their
constant support and help whenever I needed.


M.Des’09

CONTENTS
Deepak Kumar

Chapter Page

1. Abstract 1

2. Introduction 2

3. Methodology and Time Plan 3

4. Resources (study phase) 5
4.1 Resources in Wayfinding and Signage Design 6
4.2 Briefing the Content of the Resources 7
4.3 Architectural Wayfinding Design 10
4.4 Architectural Wayfinding Components 13
4.5 Building Form and Architectural Features 13

5. Signage Design 15
5.1 Signage Design 16
5.2 Wayfinding 17
5.3 Signage Elements 19
5.4 Eye Level 20
5.5 Typography 21
5.6 Arrows 24
5.7 Colours 26
5.8 Semiotics: The Study of Signs 28
5.9 Maps 30


M.Des’09

CONTENTS
Deepak Kumar

Chapter Page

6. IIT Guwahati Campus (analysis phase)
6.1 Campus 32
6.2 Topography 33
6.3 Circulation 34
6.4 Role of Topography in Circulation 35
6.5 Approaching the Campus 36
6.6 Movement of People 37
6.6.1 Distribution of People 38
6.6.2 Decision Points 39

7. Digital SIgnage
7.1 Comparative Analysis 41
7.2 Places of Use 42

8. SIGNAGE SYSTEM at IITG
8.1 Critical Appraisal 44
8.2 Studying the present system 48
8.3 Circulation 49

9. MY Interpretation & Exploration
9.1 MAP for IITG 52
9.1.1 Legend in MAP for IITG 59


M.Des’09

CONTENTS
Deepak Kumar

Chapter Page

9. 9.2 Typography 62
9.2.1 Fonts 63
9.2.2 Experimentation on Fonts 64
9.2.3 Screening of the Fonts 65
9.2.4 Font Selection 67
9.2.5 Fonts and Size 68
9.3 Colours 70
9.3.1 Fonts and Colours 71
9.4 Arrows 72
9.4.1 Arrows and Colours 74
9.5 Representations
9.5.1 You are Here 75
9.5.2 Entrance Sign 76
9.6 Layout and Placement of Signboards 77
9.7 Placement of Maps 104
9.8 Placement of Information Desks 108
9.9 Form 109
9.9.1 Semantic Approach 110
9.9.2 Studying the brand 114
9.9.3 Extraction of Abstract 116
9.9.4 Form Exploration 117


M.Des’09

CONTENTS
Deepak Kumar

Chapter Page

9 9.10 System Approach 126
9.10.1 Use Case Diagrams 130
9.10.2 Sequence Diagrams 131
9.10.3 Persona and Scenario 132
9.10.4 Wireframe Model 134
9.10.5 Graphic User Interface 135
9.11 Sustainability 144
9.11.1 Material, Process and Energy 145
9.12 Concept Generation 147
9.12.1 Concept 1 148
9.12.2 Concept 2 150
9.12.3 Concept 3 151
9.12.4 Concept 4 153
9.12.5 Concept 5 154
9.13 Concept 5 155
9.13.1 Final Concept 156
9.13.2 Components of Signage System 157
9.13.3 Materials 170
9.13.4 Critical Appraisal 172

10. Conclusion 174
11. Future Work 176
12. References 177


M.Des’09
1.0

ABSTRACT
Deepak Kumar

This dissertation studies the signs that were installed in IITG
campus. The directional signs are the main focus of the study.
Whether the forces of corporate identity have compromised their
design and their effectiveness as wayfinding aids is tested.

The reason for the research is to find out the background to the
signs’ conception and learn from the successes and failures of
these direction finders. The aim is to attain an effective signage
system that meets all the requirements of the university, including
corporate identity, whilst not compromising usability, and
remaining usable and effective.

Architectural wayfinding design addresses the built components
of wayfinding design, including space planning, articulation of
form-giving features and building identity, circulation systems,
and environmental communication.

Signage System for IIT Guwahati 1

M.Des’09
2.0

INTRODUCTION
Deepak Kumar

“The term ‘wayfinding’ is a relatively new term which covers
everything to do with how people find their way around
environments.” (Miller, C & Lewis, D 1999:11) Wayfinding is a
very broad subject encompassing many elements that work
together to provide a wayfinding system. [Ref: 14]

However, each element in a successful wayfinding system must
be able to stand up on its own as a wayfinding aid. The
unprepared visitor to a site should be able to arrive and find their
destination with a minimum of hassle.

IIT Guwahati, an institutional campus comprises of more than
750 acres of land, with varied terrain and uneven mass of land. It
is generally taken for granted that people are aware of their
surroundings and can navigate from one place to another. The
scope of sign system at IITG provides assistance to users of the
facilities. They also represent an important aspect of the
institute’s visual identity. These signs communicate essential
information about the facility, and about the Institute and its
operations.

Ideally, signs are part of an environmental information system
that helps users to understand their environment and guides


M.Des’09
2.0

INTRODUCTION
Deepak Kumar

them to their destination. Planning signage means interpreting the
needs of users and defining operational requirements.

•A friendly, welcoming atmosphere where necessary information is
readily available for visitors, new students and staff to become
easily familiarized with the campus.

•A distinct identity for the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
within the campus.

• Uniformity of design elements to contribute to the overall
aesthetic value of the campus.

The ease with which one proceeds is facilitated through an
environment from one point of interest to another. Way finding
systems include such components as basic layout of building and
site, interior and exterior landmarks, views to outside, signs, floor
and room numbering, spoken directions, maps, directories, logical
progression of spaces, colour coding.


M.Des’09
3.0

METHODOLOGY & TIME PLAN
Deepak Kumar

Pre-Study Phase

hase

on
Project selection

t selecti
udy p
Literature Study

dy
stu
prest

projec

ure
do
cu

se

rat
ha
me

lite
dy
p Study Phase
nta

u
st
t

ey User Study
ion

surv
ph

imp Survey
ase

rove dy
men
t user stu
testing final product
design phase
l
Design Phase
e
mod
to type con Concept Generation
n

pro cep
tio

tg
ene
Detailing
ula

rat
sim

ion
Execution/Engg/Testing Phase
3D

engine

de
ta

Prototype/Model
execu

ilin
g
ering

Testing
tion

Documentation Phase


M.Des’09
4.0

RESOURCES(study phase)
Deepak Kumar

The problem identified for this piece of work was that the new
external signs in IITG campus, while serving well to improve the
look of the campus by replacing the tatty and worn old signs, are
ineffective as a wayfinding aid due to the nature of their design
and the provision of only building names. Providing only building
names on the new signs gives the impression that the university
would prefer that people became familiar with the school or facil-
ity they are looking for. For this reason, the main question was at
first “Has the Institute’s corporate image taken precedence over
wayfinding and usability?” and this was refined further to give the
title, “The signage system for IIT Guwahati campus.”


M.Des’09
4.1

Resources in Wayfinding and Signage Design
Deepak Kumar

The Literature Review begins with a brief outline of what has
been written about wayfinding and sign design and then focuses
on what has been written about usability that is appropriate to the
cause of wayfinding.

The Literature Review identifies the major writers in the field, and
gives a brief evaluation of their work and how it is relevant to the
present study.


M.Des’09
4.2

Briefing the Content of the Resources
Deepak Kumar

Publications on wayfinding, in the context of the built
environment, are relatively few; as it is relatively recently that a
need was identified for research into how people find their way
(or get lost).

Books covering the topics of signage and sign design were read
and considered, but contained little relevant information to this
work.

The reason for the lack of books about wayfinding is summed up
in the opening paragraphs of Arthur & Passini’s (1992:7) [Ref: 5]
second chapter in which they compare getting lost to other
inconveniences placed before us in modern everyday life “it is
unlikely that a person will actually die from the stress of getting
lost”

The authors of both books find the space, to qualify the need to
improve wayfinding systems and the existence of such books.
Arthur & Passini include a scenario, which they hope the reader
can relate to, whilst Miller & Lewis (writing for healthcare) outline
the consequences of patients getting lost in a healthcare site.
Arthur & Passini also provide snippets of information throughout
the book to remind the reader of the need for good wayfinding.


M.Des’09
4.2

Deepak Kumar

“The fact is that we are exposed to [electronic variable-message
displays and LCD digital watches] in contexts very different from
that of reading print. Looking at signs and trying to get
information from them has more in common with glancing at our
watches than it has with reading a book.” (1992:165) [Ref: 5]

Dumas & Redish, in A Practical Guide to Usability Testing, claim
to cater for product designers, software engineers and
documentation specialists (1999:back cover) but the bulk of
references and analogies are to IT applications, making it difficult
to relate the theory to anything else, let alone wayfinding. Use of
a poor typeface & dull use of language, compared to Jordan,
made this book about usability less than usable. [Ref: 15]

The Design of Everyday Things (1988) by Donald A. Norman
provides a very interesting read into the human factors that affect
the usability of almost anything one comes into contact with. This
would be a good book to consider whilst designing usability into a
product such as a wayfinding system, though like so many
sources, working backwards from this and using it as a basis for
evaluating and testing something.


M.Des’09
4.2

Deepak Kumar

Again, the amount of material available for usability in a way
finding context is very limited. Most is aimed at the IT industry.

However, Patrick W. Jordan’s (1998) Introduction to Usability
proved very useful as a general guide to usability testing, without
the disadvantage of being context-driven. Jordan explains each
type of testing method, with its advantages and disadvantages
and sometimes an example of what kind of scenario a particular
method is used for.

Jordan also includes useful information about choosing
participants, warning against the use of colleagues. This makes
sense, as other students from the Information Design faculty will
see the signs as items of design, therefore casting a critical eye
over them, rather than proceeding with the test as a participant
who formed part of the signs’ target audience would.


M.Des’09
4.3

Architectural Wayfinding Design
Deepak Kumar

Architectural wayfinding design is important to inclusive design
because it facilitates user access, increases satisfaction, and
reduces stigma and isolation of users with disabilities. It reduces
the confusion of visitors and mistakes by employees, saving time
and money and preventing accidents. It also reduces stress,
boosting health and productivity (Evans and McCoy, 1998)[Ref:
7].

Most designers believe that wayfinding is not a high priority issue
relative to other design concerns, or view it as a problem that will
interfere with good design. It is often considered simply a signage
issue (Carpman and Grant, 2002: 434).

Kevin Lynch first discussed the impact of “the apparent clarity or
‘legibility’ of the cityscape” on urban quality of life in The Image of
the City in 1960]. Lynch defined legibility as “the ease with which
the parts can be recognized and . . . organized into a coherent
pattern.” Because legibility and clarity facilitate movement within
the built environment, Lynch claims they are integral to personal
growth and “furnish the raw material for the symbols & collective
memories of group communication.” Legible surroundings
promote “emotional satisfaction, the framework for
communication and conceptual organization [Ref:10].


M.Des’09
4.4

Architectural Wayfinding Components
Deepak Kumar

Legibility of the built environment is served by clear articulation
and coherent grouping of interior and exterior spaces, legible
circulation systems design, and integrating communication
systems (Arthur and Passini, 1992) [Ref: 5]. These three
objectives can be divided into the following components.

1. Wayfinding is as much an architectural issue as a graphic
issue. Architects and designers need to take responsibility for
inclusive approaches to wayfinding and remain apprised of
psychological and health-related impacts of building design. If
they are not ready to do that, a wayfinding expert should be
engaged at early stages of the design.

2. Whether addressed through architecture or information, the
design of wayfinding systems should include: (1) identifying and
marking spaces; (2) grouping spaces; (3) linking and organizing
spaces; and (4) communicating this information to the user.

3. Wayfinding design guidelines and best practices vary by
building type, size, and layout; urban, suburban or rural location;
frequency of use; and user requirements, preferences, and
characteristics.


M.Des’09
4.4

Architectural Wayfinding Components
Deepak Kumar

4. Every building that has undergone substantial functional
revisions or additions should have a user audit / post occupancy
evaluation.

5. Provide as many wayfinding cues in the environment or the
architecture as possible, rather than through signage. Landmarks
that help visitor orientation and direction-giving can be
fundamental for this purpose (VanderKlipp, 2006).

6. Designers must remember that spatial learning and thinking
are not the same as visual learning and thinking.

7. Designers should also remember that small models of
designed environments may produce unanticipated perceptual
effects when built at full scale due to factors in the environment
and non-visual effects of the full-scale building. Wayfinding
elements may be too small or considered insignificant in scale
models.


M.Des’09
4.5

Building Form and Architectural Features
Deepak Kumar

1. Facilitate wayfinding for all individuals, regardless of abilities.
Research and be aware of differences in wayfinding
competencies in potential users, such as gender, age and people
of different abilities (Arthur and Passini, 1992)

2. Wayfinding should be designed for the first-time visitor
because repeat visitors can use their past experiences for
navigation. (Lynch, 1960). Keep the mental state of the visitor in
mind when designing wayfinding systems (e.g., distracted, tired,
tourists; worried patients at a medical facility)

3. While comprehensive and collaborative planning should be
initiated between architects and designers early in the design
process, we need to gather tools of good wayfinding design,
including participant research, user involvement and evaluative
research and assessment tools (Arthur and Passini, 1992).

4. The best-designed wayfinding plans change over time as
urban space and building uses change, or buildings are added to,
restored, or otherwise modified. They may also change in relation
to exterior modifications and larger changes in cultural changes.
One solution is to provide information in ways that are easily
updated .


M.Des’09
4.5

Building Form and Architectural Features
Deepak Kumar

5. Provide users with an ordered environment that has “a clear
possibility of choice and a starting-point for the acquisition of
further information.” (Lynch, 1960: 4) [Ref: 10].

6. Provide users with a clear visual sweep of the site or building
on entering to afford them an overview of their surroundings, so
they can see a large number of elements and their relationships,
at the same time giving them a sense of their relation to the whole
(Lynch, 1960: 43) [Ref: 10]. The panoramic experience not only
“delights”, but helps the user obtain a view of the larger spatial
configuration that reinforces memorability. Distinctive views of
plantings, water views, and views of shocking or unexpected
sites such as large changes in scale or color variation, can also
assist users to construct wider mental maps, as can strong
contrasts of spatial configuration, materials, and landscaping
(Lynch, 1960: 43-45) [Ref: 10].

7. Give visual dominance to pathways, with their own
characteristics of space, view and motion, because they are the
main influence in forming mental maps of a space .Use design to
reinforce already existing social meaning, not to negate it (Lynch,
1960: 46) [Ref: 10]. (Lynch, 1960: 44-45) [Ref: 10].


M.Des’09
5.0

SIGNAGE DESIGN
Deepak Kumar

signage: You are unlikely to find the terms 'signage systems', wayfinding
systems or 'directional systems' in the wayfinding dictionary.
Origin: sign + age These are concepts that are as new as the subject itself. Equally
new is the whole concept of systematic design that blends
chiefly N. Amer. together all the technical and functional requirements of a project,
although the actual task of showing people the way is as old as
humankind. The arrow, for example, is an age-old sign, and in
ancient time’s piles of stones used to point the way at crossroads.
One important factor is the number of people involved and the
amount of time available. Giving clear information as quickly as
possible to large crowds seems a relatively modern concern,
although Presumably Roman arenas were cleared pretty quickly,
and it would be interesting to know how they did it. At a hospital,
airport or trade fair, visitors want to get to the right area as quickly
as possible but are often confronted with a bewildering choice of
A, B, C etc. Just as people have to be directed through buildings
and streets, they also need efficient systems to guide them at
transport terminals. A clearly designed system of timetables and
Destination is indispensable. One of the very first destinations
designs to have used a combination of Words and graphics was
the map of the London Underground originally conceived by
Harry Beck in 1931) an Displays of train and flight times.[Ref: 4]


M.Des’09
5.1

SIGNAGE DESIGN
Deepak Kumar

Signage systems you can tell a company by its graphics. If a
building bears the firm's font, or is adorned with the appropriate
signs and lettering sends out a friendly signal that accomplishes
a great deal more than simply giving address. The concept of
such systems is described by the French as signalátique, which
has been adopted by the Swiss and the Germans as Signaletik,
emphasizing the active signal more than the sign. This term
denotes identification actions - indication, suggestion, and
recognition - in contrast to the less dynamic wayfindinq system.
In English less of a distinction is made between these different
systems, which are usually all bracketed together under 'signage.
[Ref: 4]


M.Des’09
5.2

WAYFINDING
Deepak Kumar

Anton Stankowski objects to the very concept of directional
systems, since they degrade the observer to the level of a
way-finding passive, totally dependent object being led through a building.
Such ‘direction' differs from the passivity of wayfindinq aids, as it
is up to you whether you take advantage of the latter. And if we
look a little more closely at what lies behind these linguistic terms,
the design too is different. Active direction imposes itself
intrusively on the foreground, and is an end in itself
it entails leadership, domination, irresistible authority. A way
finding system is polite and restrained, and may hide itself away
when it is not needed. It you were not looking for it, you could
easily miss it.[Ref: 4]

DIRECTIONAL SYSTEMS
This is not such an appealing term. The idea of being guided,
informed and helped is far more pleasant and gentle than the
domineering 'direct", or being actively led. A leader can also
mislead, as many a nation has discovered to its cost. [Ref: 4]


M.Des’09
5.2

WAYFINDING
Deepak Kumar

What is wayfinding?
start The term wayfinding descnbes the processes people go through
to find their way round an environment.
The waylinding process is fundamentally problem-solving, and is
affected by many factors which are covered in this section.
People's perception of the environment, the wayfinding
information available, their ability to orientate themselves
spatially, and the cognitive and decision-making processes they
go through, all affect how successfully they find their way. [Ref:
17]

How people find their way?
Many factors affect how people orientate themselves and find
their way, but wayfinding is essentially a series of interrelated
decisions influenced by personal and environmental factors and
end also the availability and understandability of information.
Figure 5.2.1
Having decided to make a journey, people will encounter a series
of decision points along the route. They look for further
information at these points in order to make a decision about
which way to go next.[Ref: 17]


M.Des’09
5.3

SIGNAGE ELEMENTS
Deepak Kumar

Eye Level

Typography

Fonts and Forms

Arrows

Colour in Signage

Colour Coding In Signage

Semiotics: The Study of Signs

Figure 5.3.1 a b Maps


M.Des’09
5.3

EYE LEVEL
Deepak Kumar

One absurd 'golden rule' states that an eye level of 163 cm is the
ideal height for conveying information. As a general principle,
rules should be questioned, and especially this one. Whatever its
origin, the measurement of 163 cm divides walls into unbalanced
proportions, which is far from ideal.

When we are standing upright, looking straight ahead, it is pos-
sible that our eyes cover a field whose average height is 163 cm
above the ground. However, we do not normally walk in a strictly
perpendicular manner - our heads tilt slightly forward, and our
eyes therefore drop. This is another reason why information
should not be placed at eye levels. A good height for the upper
Figure 5.3.2 edge of a sign on a door, for example, would be 145 cm.
Information at a trade fair or an airport needs to be placed high up,
where it can be read above people's heads. The same applies to
signposts for lorry drivers, who are seated much higher than
motorists. The information must be at such a height that it is not
concealed by parked cars or perpendiculars. [Ref: 4]


M.Des’09
5.4

TYPOGRAPHY
Deepak Kumar

Figure 5.4.1
'Typography and architecture intersect. Every building has some
kind of writing. Houses bear signs. In important buildings, stone
masons and architects leave their signatures on stones. House
numbers can be decorative or intrusive, while the doorbell and
the letterbox may serve as visiting cards. The written word is an
accompaniment to the erected stone, and well chosen
typography enriches the architecture. It can work with the
building, but it can also work against it. Whether unusual or
discreet, hard or soft, the lettering should always be integral to
the architecture, its ally rather than its enemy.'[Ref: 4]
Minnaert building, Utrecht University, The Netherlands

Architects make so little use of typographical elements on their
buildings. The main reason will be that the building design
doesn’t need it. Most buildings can make their function clear
without the use of signage on the façade. As you will find on the
buildings listed below, architects used the signage to show the
name of the building to the world; there is no building to be found
with its function printed on it. The function is supposed to be
clear.

Bauhaus, Dessau, Germany


M.Des’09
5.4

TYPOGRAPHY
Deepak Kumar

Figure 5.4.2(a) The Anatomy of Type STUDY OF FONTS:

Uppercase Letter In a wayfinding system, this relationship is reversed. A handful of
Serif Counter Ascender large letters stand on a small and restricted surface. The
individual forms of the letters are directly connected to that
Cap height

Typography x X height

Baseline
surface and its restrictive borders, which for the most part tend to
be rectangular, sharply defined and simple. These characteristics
Bowl Loop Descender respond more effectively to a font with similar formal qualities i.e.
Lowercase Letter
sans serif straight and solid. The stems and strokes of serif
characters tend to be tapered, clashing against the stiff
rectangles of regular signs.
Figure 5.4.2(b) Text size

64 Ft. distance
32 Ft.
16 Ft.
8 Ft.

1/4 inch.
1/2 inch.
1 inch.
2 inch. text height


M.Des’09
5.4

Text Type (10pt Standard)
12 Points = 1 Pica
6 Point
8 Point
TYPOGRAPHY
Horizontal Rules: .25pt, .5pt, 1pt, 2pt, 4pt, 6pt, 72pt
10 Point
12 Point
Deepak Kumar

14 Point
18 Point
24 Point
30 Point
36 Point
42 Point

Display Type
48 Point
54 Point
72 Points = 1 Inch
60 Point
Figure 5.4.3
72 Point

M.Des’09
5.5

ARROWS
Deepak Kumar

Figure 5.5.1(a) There are whole books on the subject of arrows, and of course
the examples shown here aren't the only varieties. Just as with
fonts, there is a wide choice available, but here we shall deal with
just two types that are suitable for wayfinding systems.

Arrow 1 Arrow 2

Figure 5.5.2 Arrow 1 is in FF DIN Light, while arrow 2 is in Thesis the Sans
Extra Light Expert. The proportions of the two arrows are similar
(Thesis grey, FF DIN black), although the barbs are more tapered
in Thesis.


Deepak Kumar M.Des’09

Signage
System
for
IIT
Figure 5.5.2a

Guwahati
ARROWS

25
5.5

M.Des’09
5.6

COLOURS
Deepak Kumar

In wayfinding systems, contrast is important for ease of reading.
If coloured lettering is used on a bright background, the contrast
is weak. The optimal contrast is white against dark colours and
black against bright colours.

Against a coloured background white lettering always looks best,
but only if there is sufficient contrast. Even with bright colours, or
against dark shades of yellow, white is most effective. Black
lettering tends to merge with the background and make the
colour look dirty.

Coloured lettering can be quite decorative, but it can make a very
strong impact and needs to be used sparingly. Coloured letters
can also convey a message - for instance, they may indicate that
you are on a particular floor. In order to do this efficiently, they
must be set in dull surroundings as otherwise the different
elements may find themselves in competition with one another.
Generally, coloured lettering is problematic and less expressive
Figure 5.5.1
than white or black.[Ref: 4]


M.Des’09
5.6

COLOUR CODING
Deepak Kumar

Moscow Metro Map
Colour-coded directions make it easier for visitors to find their way,
enabling them to identify quickly the nature of the information they
are after. This may only speed the process up by a matter of
seconds, but it reduces stress and contributes to the overall
efficiency of system.

If plans for a building are laid out on a grid showing partition walls,
the tiniest detail can be given a set of coordinates. This clear
system avoids confusion if changes are made, without the need
for complicated codes.

If you are numbering rooms in a corridor according to a code, it is
best to group all even numbers on one side, and odd numbers on
the other. They should also follow the same sequence, so that Low
even numbers are opposite low odd numbers. This makes it easier
Figure 5.6.1 to locate whichever room you are looking for.[Ref:4]


M.Des’09
5.7

SEMIOTICS
Deepak Kumar

Semiotics, also called semiotic studies or semi- Iconogram: Illustrative representation, An Iconic sign which, as an
ology, is the study of sign processes (semiosis), illustrative representation, emphasizes the points in common
or signification and communication, signs and between the signifier and the signified.
symbols, both individually and grouped into sign
systems. It includes the study of how meaning Pictogram: Pictorial representation, ISOTYPE. An iconic sign
is constructed and understood. which represents complex facts, not through words or sounds but
through visual carriers of meaning.
Semantics: Relation between signs and the
things they refer to, their denotata. Cartogram: A topographical representation with complex
Syntactics: Relation of signs to each functions (statistics etc.) and iconic facts, for example an atlas or
other in formal structures. the ground plan of a house.
Pragmatics: Relation of signs to their
impacts on those who use them. Diagram: Functional representation. A visual sign which is partly
(source: wikipedia .org) still an iconic representation, but is more a functional carrier that
illustrates, for example, a sequence of facts or functions.

Ideogram: Representation of a concept. Corresponds to the sign
as a symbol which relates to the object or concept referred to,
independently of any formal identification with it.

Typogram: Typographical representation. A sign, also a
composed sign, derived from a written repertoire such as the
alphabet. [Ref 19]


M.Des’09
5.7

SEMIOTICS
Deepak Kumar

Semantics Sigmatics Syntactics/Syntax Pragmatics intention
sender/meaning relation between sign & signified visual formal modes (influencing the receiver)

dependent on repertoire of icon form imperative
sender and receiver image will, duty

dependent on context other degree of iconicity dimension suggestive
signs culture, surroundings, substantial resemblance to dot, line,flat surface, feelings
knowledge, social environment original body, space

degree of abstraction quality indicative
substantial deviation from round, angular, regular, information, knowledge
original irregular, free

symbol quantity
representative large, small

index demarcation
indicator, pointer, mainly empty, fully or partially
characters; if pictorial, icon filled, open form, closed
and symbol possible as form,clear contours, blurred
index contours

realization
structured, sketchy,firm,
fuzzy, fragmented, free

brightness

colour

movement

material
Fig: 5.7.2 VISUAL SIGNS [Ref 19]


M.Des’09
5.8

MAP
Deepak Kumar

A map is a visual representation of an area—a symbolic What is a map?
depiction highlighting relationships between elements of that
space such as objects, regions, and themes. Maps inhabit the realm of fact, although not exclusively. They are
(source: wikipedia.org) figurative representations of dimensions, attributes and relations
of things in the physical or logical world. Reproduced at a scale
smaller than life-size (usually, but not exclusively -sometimes
their scale is 1:1 or, when mapping the microcosm, larger).

What can be mapped?

Anything can be mapped, and most things are: places, busi-
nesses, galaxies, histories, bodies, philosophies devices and
databases. The subject-matter of a map is measured and named
and ordered (captured!) by the mapmaker who, armed with
carefully verified data and a language of pictorial description,
puts everything in its proper place with its proper name as he or
she sees it.[Ref:18]
Figure 5.8.1


M.Des’09
5.8

MAP
Deepak Kumar

Why use maps?
Maps give their readers the simple and magical ability to see
beyond the horizon. The enlightening arid revelatory
characteristic of a good map derives from its encompassing
vision, contained within a single consistent pictorial model. The
map provides a view that slides instantaneously between
panorama and detail. A map embodies the work, knowledge and
Intelligence of others. We obtain a vision of a place that we may
never have seen, or divine a previously unseen pattern in things
we thought we knew intimately. So, we consult a map as we
would an adviser in order to locate, identify and decide onto be
enlightened. As a result we suffer, sometimes. a grand illusion of
Figure 5.8.2 omnipotence by believing that the map contains everything
necessary for Understanding or controlling a domain. We forget
that the mapmaker has an implicit or explicit agenda of his own,
not necessarily aligned with ours. Maps are
imperfect. They have missing layers arid gaps within the layers.
Paradoxically, much information can be gathered front the gaps
left in maps, not least about the mapmaker's intentions. This is,
one of the beauties of maps.[Ref:18]


M.Des’09
6.1

IIT GUWAHATI Campus
Deepak Kumar

Figure 6.1.1 Map of IITG from wikimapia

BASIC CAMPUS LAYOUT

BASIC TOPOGRAPHY

M.Des’09
6.2

TOPOGRAPHY
Deepak Kumar

Topography (from greek τόπος topo-, "place", and γράφω
graphia, "writing") is the study of Earth's surface shape and
features or those of planets, moons, and asteroids. It is also the
description of such surface shapes and features (especially their
depiction in maps).

The topography of an area can also mean the surface shape and
features themselves.

In a broader sense, topography is concerned with local detail in
general, including not only relief but also vegetative and human-
made features, and even local history and culture.
(source: wikipedia.org)

Figure 6.2.1 the topography of the campus
hills (view blockers)
lakes (appreciating ground)


M.Des’09
6.3

CIRCULATION
Deepak Kumar

Due to topography of the campus one will have to go through ups
and downs (slope).

-the hills in the campus are considered as view blockers as they
do not allow a person to see beyond them thus creating a bit of
confusion or may be the only one road gives an extra
B confidence of not being misled.
A
J G
K -the lakes are called appreciating ground because there is no
view obstruction and all the buildings around the lake could be
seen clearly, thus giving a clue about where the building is but
E H creating another question about what’s the name of the
I building?

F
C

Figure 6.2.1 the topography of the campus

D hills (view blockers)
lakes (appreciating ground)
entrance(A, B, C, D)
circulation


Signage system at IIT Guwahati, Thesis Report

Signage system at IIT Guwahati, Thesis Report

Recomendados

Recomendados

Mais conteúdo relacionado

Mais procurados

Mais procurados (20)

Destaque

Destaque (8)

Semelhante a Signage system at IIT Guwahati, Thesis Report

Semelhante a Signage system at IIT Guwahati, Thesis Report (20)

Signage system at IIT Guwahati, Thesis Report