OCAD - Wayfinding Proposal

SITE ANALYSIS: DOCUMENT

Wayfinding Design Project for OCAD’s Lobby and Sharp Center

Designed By: Brady Carpenter Wayfinding Design Project Site Analysis: Decisions March 2/ 2010

1.0SITE ANALYSIS: DECISIONS

Destination

Destination

Start

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Brady Carpenter Wayfinding Design Project Site Analysis: Decisions 2

DestinationDestination

Start

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Brady Carpenter Wayfinding Design Project Site Analysis: Decisions 3

1.0SITE ANALYSIS: DECISIONS Cont’d

2.0

2.1 2.2 2.2 cont’ 2.3Enter the building from what seems the most popular entrance. (Entrance a)

Move through the building, and at each decision point, note whether or not you are provided any information. Number the decision points. If there was information provided, what type of information was it? Was there any information provided which turned out to be incorrect, contradictory, or outdated?

Enter BuildingThere was a sign showing Ontario College of Art and Design.

Open two sets of doors to enter Lobby.No info telling me this is main Lobby. Just assuming because I can see elevators, stairs and security/ help desk.

Choose either Stairs or Elevator.Sixth floor needed (room 650).Choose elevator.Sign says elevator to Sharp Center for Design.

Press desired floor button in elevator. The info “1”, “5” & “6” are given.

Press 6 for sixth floor. Light in elevator shows “6”. Exit on 6th floor.

Look for an indication of location.No map.No signage.Door straight ahead says 600.

Only assume room numbers increase clockwise.Walk right to verify.Check next consecutive room number.That room is 670.Next consecutive number is 669.

Turn around and walk in opposing direction.Follow hallways and continue verifying via room numbers.

At each decision point, write down the type of information that should be provided. Orientation map? Arrows pointing to locations? List of room numbers? Names of offices/ labs?

There is a sign saying OCAD but could be more specific and say EntranceIn lobby there could be a map of all floors or a more legible directory.Sign on elevator should say that it only goes to Floors 1, 5 & 6In elevator there are well placed and labeled buttons for floors. In the elevator there is a digital light that represents what floor you are opening to.When you get out of the elevator there is no information about where you are in relation to the floor plan and no information on how to know where you are. There should be some sort of sign telling you where you are in relation to the floor plan whether it be a map or directory or at least a sign showing you which direction the room increase or decrease.The rooms increase in value in an obscure way so I believe there should be a clear visible map present so you can locate yourself.On all corners of the interior of the floors there should be sinage to indicate what is down each hall so you don’t have to walk in circles locating each room.

End of Hall (Table/ Study Area)Look around for more room identificationNotice directly across the study area there are more rooms

Walk towards them and locate room numbersNotice that room numbers increase

Follow increasing room numbersRoom number on door is labeled 650Assume room is 650

SITE ANALYSIS: DOCUMENTATION

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Brady Carpenter Wayfinding Design Project Site Analysis: Documentation 4

2.4 2.5 2.6 & 2.7 2.8

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At any point in the process, did you have to re-trace your steps? Why?

There were many times I retraced my steps :

When getting out of the elevator and looking around for a map I retraced because I couldn’t find where I was and needed to find a map.

When walking down the hall and realizing the numbers were not increasing like i needed i retraced to go the correct way to get to the desired room number.

When I came to the Table/ Study Area I did not know where to go from here so I walked backed to the map to understand what this space was more thoroughly.

After completing this analysis, re-enter the building from a different entrance. Is there any difference in the ease of navigation, or are the same problems present?

It is harder to navigate from any other entrance because there are less information signs given to help guide you. Most of the same problems are present but a new one arises. There is no option other than an elevator to choose from.

Find a place to stand or sit and observe other newcomers to the building. Can you tell from watching them if they are able to navigate the building easily? If not, what do they seem to need?

Most people are familiar with the building but I witnessed some people struggle with entering the Express elevators because they only go to floors 5&6 and the person desired a different floor so they had to exit the elevator and try to look for a map.

Describe your difficulties in finding the location in terms of the navigation problems listed above. Remember that problems can occur that are not merely due to lack of signage.

I think the fact that there are is a set of spiral stairs blocking the view from the entrance is hard to understand the flow of the building. As well on the 5th floor there is a set of lockers that divides the Study area from some extra class rooms that cannot be seen from the hall.

Where should directional and orientation information be located: inside stairwell before entering a floor? On wall after entering a floor? Should signs be on walls, or hanging overhead?

I think there should be signs on walls after entering a floor because if you need to look at the map while you are on the floor you will not see it if it is the stairwell.

For more major sign needs I think there should be hanging signs to be more available.

2.0SITE ANALYSIS: DOCUMENTATION Cont’d

Brady Carpenter Wayfinding Design Project Site Analysis: Documentation Cont’d 5

3.0

3.1 3.3

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3.6

3.4 & 3.5

3.8

3.9

The building’s circulation patterns.

Most people enter the main entrance and go straight to the Express Elevators. Once on 5th and 6th floors most students head right off the elevator towards the study area or towards the direction of their classrooms. Most Faculty head left off the elevators at the 6th floor and around towards their offices which are behind the elevators. On the 5th floor most faculty head straight towards the Design office or towards their class that they are teaching at. The security seem to stay at the desk located at the lobby but occasionally make tours of each floor for inspection. There seems to be many people that go down the spiral stairs to use the Express Elevators instead of using the All floor Elevator on the 2nd Floor.

Existing signage (what works, what doesn’t, and why)

The Exterior Sign worksExpress Elevator sign should be more detailedMain Floor Lobby and Directory Sign works but can be designed to be easier to read and more helpful. There is a fire route map in the 5th and 6th floor that is the only means of navigation and it is very small and hard to read. The Labels on the doors do not have any hierarchy so it is hard to distinguish class rooms from Faculty rooms. No signage letting you know there are more classrooms beyond the Study Area.

Visual clutter and obstacles

There is visual clutter in the lobby with the spiral staircase and the plasma screens. On the 5th & 6th floors there are display cases directly off the elevator. As well on the 5th & 6th floors there is a large Study area that clutters the view of the other classrooms and printers.

Identification of the various user groups.

I think the main user groups are as follows:

StudentsFacultyAdministrative workersSecurityJanitorsVisitors

Naming or numbering inconsistencies

There are definite numbering inconsistencies because the main structure of the 5th and 6th floors are rectangles but yet the numbering systems do not increase or follow any sensible system. They don’t increase or decrease clockwise or counter clockwise and they don’t follow the same systems as houses; keeping odd and even numbers on separate sides. (can be seen on floor plan on page 5)

Inconsistencies in appearance and locations of signs. Missing signage

There are Inconsistencies in the floor plan signs because they are used on an 8.5x11 sheet of paper as a fire route and in the lobby it is magnified and used for a directory. There is also a door with a post-it note with the room number on it because the normal paper is missing. I think there is missing signage all over the lobby, 5th & 6th floor. Lobby: in all entrances other than main there should be signs and location identification. 5th & 6th Floor: Signage off the elevator, for washrooms, Study area, classrooms, Faculty rooms, and Administrative rooms.

Readability problems

I think the only readability problems are with the labels on the doors and the fire route & lobby signs. Most other signs are easily readable but not in good placement.

Lighting problems contributing to navigational difficulties

There is a low lighting situation directly outside the elevators on the 5th & 6th floors making it visibly hard to read the only map on each floor which is located on the door to the stairs. Another problem is the fact that the door number is on the door and when the door is open and the light in the room off it is much harder to 1. find the room number and 2. read the door sign.

ANALYSIS OF EXISTING PHYSICAL CONDITIONS

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Brady Carpenter Wayfinding Design Project Site Analysis: ANALYSIS OF EXISTING PHYSICAL CONDITIONS 6

3.3 a 3.3 d 3.4 c

3.4 a, 3.8 a

3.7 a

3.6 b

3.4 b

3.3 b, 3.4 a, 3.6 a, 3.8 a

3.3 c

Brady Carpenter Wayfinding Design Project Site Analysis: Corresponding Pictures 7

3.0ANALYSIS OF EXISTING PHYSICAL CONDITIONS Corresponding Pictures

5th Floor 6th Floor1st Floor

Brady Carpenter Wayfinding Design Project Site Analysis: Corresponding Pictures 8

3.0ANALYSIS OF EXISTING PHYSICAL CONDITIONS Corresponding Pictures

4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4Hierarchy of destinations (major to minor)

Main destination for Students. 1. Study Area

This is a main meeting area for most students working in groups, meeting friends or just wanting a table to work at.

2. ClassroomsThese are used by students for in-class lectures, presentation areas and meetings with professors.

3. Washrooms These are used by male & female and able & disabled.

4. Faculty OfficesUsed by students when they desire to meet with a professor to get advice, help, or have a scheduled meeting.

5. Print shop/ RoomThis is used to print prelims and projects.

Main Destinations for Faculty. 1. Faculty offices

These are used as a personal room for grading work, meeting with students, doing administrative work.

2. ClassroomsThese are used to teach, lecture and meet with students.

3. IT RoomThis is used to obtain electronics for in-class presentation tools.

4. Washrooms (same)5. Print shop/ Room

This is used to print project outlines and handouts for students.

Describe major decision points and paths.

Major decision points1. Entrance

Whether of not to enter and where to enter from.

2. How to get to 5th & 6th Floors\To take the stairs or elevators.

3. Which Floor to go to Press desired button or exit doors at desired floor.

4. Which directionWhat direction to turn off the elevator or out of the doors to the stairs.

5. Find a mapKnow what room to go to.

6. Locate roomVerify it is the desired room via signage and enter the room.

Major decision Paths

1. Lobby main path is from the entrance to the Express Elevators and Vice Versa.

2. 5th & 6 Floor a. Main path is from elevator to study areab. elevator, classroom or study ares to washroom. c. Elevator to classroomsd. Elevator and classroom to print (ers)/ roome. Study area, classrooms or elevators to Faculty Offices.

Most common problems people have when navigating the building.

Most common Problems when navigating the building are:1. Express Elevator

Most people do not know that it only goes to floors 5 & 6.

2. Map/ DirectoryThe large map in the Lobby is only a view of the ground floor. Directory is very general locating things to a specific floor.

3. No map There is no map/ directory when exiting the elevators or stairs.

4. Fire Route MapThe Fire Route map is very small, hard to read and located in a dark lit area.

5. Room NumbersRooms are not numbered in a systematic way so it it hard to find specific rooms.

6. WashroomsThe washrooms on the 6th floor are in a hallway and there are no signs pointing them out to the perpendicular hallway.

Unique problems that exist due to odd locations or building structure.

Spiral StaircaseThis presents a problem in the lobby because it obstructs the view of the elevators and creates a cramped waiting ares for elevator users.

Display cases on 5th & 6th FloorsThese create visual clutter and provide less space for way finding information for the floor.

5th & 6th floor rooms beyond Study areaThis provides a problem because in both cases ti is hard to see that there are classrooms beyond this clutter of people, tables, and objects because of the architecture. 6th Floor washroomsThese are somewhat hidden from main hallways.

4.0ANALYSIS OF EXISTING WAYFINDING PROBLEMS

Brady Carpenter Wayfinding Design Project Site Analysis: Analysis of Existing Wayfinding Problems 9

4.5 4.7 4.84.6Most common destinations of first time visitors

The most common place for first time visitors is the 2nd floor showcase area.I think this is rivaled by the 5th and 6th floors’ display case area out of the elevators. Many new comers and students stop here to see that work from other students. The washroom is another common destination for first timers. The study area is another common area to gather because usually new comers are with a friend and they are meeting up with people at this area.

Unique problems of disabled visitors (wheelchair, low vision, limited mobility)

A main problem for low vision or vision impaired people is that the fire routes and map are very small and have hard to read type and icons. The fire routes are placed in a low light area making them even harder to read. This is true with overhead signs being hard to read.There is a wheel chair ramp on the main entrance but inside there are some hindrances. The doors to all the classrooms do not have any wheelchair accessible aid and the doors are quite heavy in material. Even the handy capped washroom still has a normal door handle. The desks in the study area are low and placed very close making it hard for a wheelchair bound person to use this area.

Most common destinations of repeat visitors.

The most common place for repeat visitors is the 5th & 6th floor study area. The next most popular destination is the number of classrooms that students and professors meet within. The washroom is another common destination for repeat visitors. The printers and print room are also common destination because many repeat users need to print one thing or another. Faculty offices are a common area for faculty and students to meet and do work.

How people retrace their steps to the original entry point.

Form what I saw not many people retraced their steps to the very beginning but many retraced to the step prior.

If they were not sure about the express elevator they retraces back outside of the elevator.

If they were unsure about what floor they were on they stepped back in to the elevator or stairway.

If they were unsure about where to turn from elevator or stairs they checked back with the fire route map.

If they were unsure about the room number they checked the number on the outside of the door.

4.0ANALYSIS OF EXISTING WAYFINDING PROBLEMS Cont’d

Brady Carpenter Wayfinding Design Project Site Analysis: Analysis of Existing Wayfinding Problems Cont’d 10

5.0NAVIGATION PLAN - New Lobby Map

Brady Carpenter Wayfinding Design Project Site Analysis: Navigation Plan Lobby 11

Level 1 - LobbyOntario College of Art & Design100 McCaul Street. Toronto M5T 1W1

Stairs Elevators Security/ Reception

5.0NAVIGATION PLAN - Lobby


Level 5Ontario College of Art & Design100 McCaul Street. Toronto M5T 1W1

Offices Studio Rooms Washrooms Stairs Elevators Workshops

Studio Area

5.0NAVIGATION PLAN - Lobby




5.0

5.1

NAVIGATION PLAN - Lobby

Brady Carpenter Wayfinding Design Project

Picture 1.1 - This is a representation of directional signage that will be applied to help traffic flow.

Picture 1.2 - This is a where directional signage and orientation map will be applied to the back Elevators .

Site Analysis: Navigation Plan Lobby 14

Proposed wayfinding aids for Lobby/ 1st Floor

I propose that there will be two levels of sinage in the lobby. I have distinguished them by transparence. 100% opacity is referring to the orientation and identification signs whereas the 50% transparency is referring to directional signs.

100% This sign is going to be a combination of an orientation, identification & directional. It will be a map guide for the Sharp Center (Floors 5 &6) accompanied by a directory of exactly what floor and room number you can find:

WashroomsClass roomPerson’s officeIT help room

50% These areas will be applied by some means (paint, etch, etc) to the surfaces already in place in the Lobby. They will lead from each of the 4 doors to specific areas and will give direction to 5 main areas of traffic flow.

This will be initially merged with “2” because they will both direct to the orientation map and directory. This one however will lead you to the back set of elevators where there will be another map set and directory for floors 1-4 as well as 5 & 6

This is the same as “1” in the sense that this will be pointing in the direction of the orientation map and directory for the 5th and 6th floors only.

This area will be strictly directional towards the Express Elevators. It will lead the flow of traffic towards the Express Elevator as well as informing them that it only goes to the fifth and sixth Floors.

This Directional will lead traffic flow towards the back elevators as well as informing them that those elevators go to all floors.

This area will lead flow from the main door to the reception/ security desk.

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Study area Work roomPrint Office



5.0

5.2



NAVIGATION PLAN - Lobby Cont’d

Brady Carpenter Wayfinding Design Project Site Analysis: Navigation Plan Lobby Continued 15

From “Picture 1.1”

Orientation

These two locations will be orientation maps to locate your self because, as of now there is no way to locate/ orient yourself. I think there needs to be a better map that is less overwhelming, more informative, and has easier readibility.

Direction

There will be 5 directional markers outlined on the floor and walls of the lobby (as seen to the left and the previous page). These will direct people to the 5 major traffic flow pattern destinations of the 1st floor. Ocad, as of now has none of these and I believe it is crucial for the integrity of the building and ease for new users that something to this effect is in place.

Identification

These will be placed on four main areas of the lobby. 1 - Labelling the Security/ Information Desk because there is nothing there identifying it. 2- Labelling the Express Elevators and verifying the 1st floor. 3 - Identifying the stair case as a usable method of ascending and descending instead of labelling it as a fire escape. 4 - This will be at the back of the elevator informing this mode of travel to the people coming from different entrances.



Studio Area

5.0

5.2

NAVIGATION PLAN - 5th Floor

Brady Carpenter Wayfinding Design Project Site Analysis: Navigation Plan - 5th Floor 16

Orientation

There will be one orientation map placed at the elevator doors that will help the user identify where they are and where they would like to go. It will be a simplified map (like the one seen below) instead of a fire route/ blueprint view that is very complicated and overwhelming. The map will show you where you are in relation to the floor itself and it will provide an easy way to locate rooms, via room number, in a more logical way than is already implemented.

Direction

Like the Lobby, there will be signage on the floor and walls directing people to high traffic flow destinations and areas with out room numbers. Such as Washrooms, Student Lounge and Studio Area. These are needed because there is a problem with direction in the 5th floor due to the multiple corridors, and Studio Area cutting off flow to extra class rooms.

Identification

These markers will be placed on all doors for door/ room Identification. AS of now there are 8.5x11 printer paper used as room numbering and naming of specific faculty offices. This should not be done on the same small sheet. I will implement a new system of room labelling that will take into consideration; room number, Donation name & specific identification such as faculty member. The Studio area will be labelled as well with a ceiling mounted sign. This will able all directions to see the identification of the said area.



5.0NAVIGATION PLAN - 6th Floor

Brady Carpenter Wayfinding Design Project Site Analysis: Navigation Plan - 6th Floor 17

Orientation

There will be one orientation map placed at the elevator doors that will help the user identify where they are and where they would like to go. It will be a simplified map (like the one seen below) instead of a fire route/ blueprint view that is very complicated and overwhelming. The map will show you where you are in relation to the floor itself and it will provide an easy way to locate rooms, via room number, in a more logical way than is already implemented.

Direction

Like the Lobby, there will be signage on the floor and walls directing people to high traffic flow destinations and areas with out room numbers. Such as Washrooms, Student Lounge and Studio Area and Printing office. These are needed because there is a problem with direction in the 6th floor due to the multiple corridors, and Studio Area cutting off flow to extra class rooms.

Identification

These markers will be placed on all doors for door/ room Identification. As of now there are 8.5x11 printer paper used as room numbering and naming of specific faculty offices. This should not be done on the same small sheet. I will implement a new system of room labelling that will take into consideration; room number, Donation name & specific identification such as faculty member. The Studio area will be labelled as well with a ceiling mounted sign. This will able all directions to see the identification of the said area. As seen to the left there will be special door identification for the washrooms as well.

5.0

5.4 5.5 5.6

Brady Carpenter Wayfinding Design Project Site Analysis: Navigation Plan Continued 18

Navigation Plan Cont’d

ROOM/ SCHEDULE

604STUDIO/ SEMINAR ROOM

GRAPHIC DESIGNHOURS/ NOTES

621FACULTY OF DESIGN OFFICE

KEITH RUSHTON

ROOM/ SCHEDULE


GRAPHIC DESIGN

28”

18”

Suggested changes in lighting

Lighting will change slightly in that there will me better lighting backlighting the orientation map on each floor. The existing lighting will be sufficient because most signage will be on the floor and walls. Most of the OCAD space is well lit.

Flexibility for future changes

The systems that will be implemented will not be designed around flexibility of future changes because the identification that is used now is designed for that purpose and it does not work very well. I will be simply using paints or adhesive materials that will not harm the integrity of the building.



Example of the new numbering system.

Example of a backlit desplay.

Example of adhesive material that could be used.

6.0

6.1

Brady Carpenter Wayfinding Design Project Site Analysis: Directional Sign 19

SYSTEM DESIGN

Directional Sign - Example Lobby


Floo

r Map

s 1-

6

Floo

r Map

s 5

& 6

Expr

ess

Elev

ator

Recepti

on/ Secu

rity

Floor Maps 1-6 All Floor Elevator

All Floor Elevator 92”8 4”

36”7 1” 71”1 9” 7.5” 42”

Circle in Overhead View marks view point for Elevation view.

6.2

Brady Carpenter Wayfinding Design Project Site Analysis: Major Identification Signs 20

6.0SYSTEM DESIGN

Complex Major Identification Signs

ROOM/ SCHEDULE




KEITH RUSHTON

ROOM/ SCHEDULE


GRAPHIC DESIGN

28”

18”

ROOM/ SCHEDULE




KEITH RUSHTON

ROOM/ SCHEDULE


GRAPHIC DESIGN

28”

18”

ROOM/ SCHEDULE




KEITH RUSHTON

ROOM/ SCHEDULE


GRAPHIC DESIGN

28”

18”

Example - Faculty Office & Studio Room

The typeface used is Univers LT Std Bold Condensed throughout the entire sign. The type size increases in factors of 12 starting at 12 point which is legible at a 3 foot distance. The 12 point type is the least important so it only needs to be viewed at a closer distance. The room number is 192 point (2.6 inch) because it needs to be seen from many feet away.

Point Size192482412

DescriptionRoom NumberRoom TypeName or Field of StudyExtra Information

6.3

Brady Carpenter Wayfinding Design Project Site Analysis: Major Identification Signs 21

6.0SYSTEM DESIGN

Major Identification Signs

Example - Printing Office

The typeface used is Univers LT Std Bold Condensed throughout the entire sign. This is the same foundation of the Complex Signs on the previous page. Signs for rooms with door will be wall mount and rooms with no door like the Studio area will be ceiling mount.

7’3”

PRINTING OFFICE

PRINTING OFFICE

62118”

9’

6217’3”

PRINTING OFFICE

PRINTING OFFICE

62118”

9’

621

6.4

Brady Carpenter Wayfinding Design Project Site Analysis: Minor Identification Signs 22

6.0SYSTEM DESIGN

Minor Identification Signs

Example - Washroom

The typeface used is Univers LT Std Bold Condensed throughout the entire sign. This is the same foundation of the Major Signs on the previous page. These will be wall mounted and there will be a vinyl graphic applied to the door of the corresponding washroom.

6’7’3”

WASHROOMSMENS WOMENS

ACCESSIBLE

WASHROOMSMENS WOMENS`

ACCESSIBLE

6’7’3”

WASHROOMSMENS WOMENS

ACCESSIBLE

WASHROOMSMENS WOMENS`

ACCESSIBLE

2’

1’

6.5

Brady Carpenter Wayfinding Design Project Site Analysis: Orientation Signs 23

6.0SYSTEM DESIGN

Orientation Signs

Example - Sharp Center Mapv

The typeface used is Univers LT Std Bold Condensed throughout the entire sign. This is the same foundation of the Major Signs on the previous page. These will be wall mounted and there will be a vinyl graphic applied to the door of the corresponding washroom.



Studio Area



6.6

Brady Carpenter Wayfinding Design Project Site Analysis: Landmark Exterior/ Interior Sign 24

6.0SYSTEM DESIGN

Landmark Exterior/ Interior Sign

Example - Lobby

This would be a Super Graphic that would take advantage of the Lobby Windows. The typeface used is Univers LT Std Bold Extended throughout the entire sign. This would either be a vinyl graphic or interior paint. It would be drawn according to the view point when you first step in the door. It would also be able to be seen from the street. From some angles it would simply be shapes and colours.

7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4

Brady Carpenter Wayfinding Design Project Site Analysis: Precedent Studies 25

7.0PRECEDENT STUDIES

Signs that are Flush Wall-Mounted Signs that are wall-mounted (perpendicular to wall) Signs that are ceiling-mounted Signs that use cut metal as a major design element.

7.5 7.6 7.7

Brady Carpenter Wayfinding Design Project Site Analysis: Precedent Studies 26

7.0PRECEDENT STUDIES

Signs or exhibit elements that have curved planes Signs whose structure/armature is a major design element Typo/graphic information that is presented on the floor or the ground

OCAD - Wayfinding Proposal

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Transcript of OCAD - Wayfinding Proposal