For my last class blog post I recently got out with my family and visited the Oakdale
Mall in Johnson City New York. I have visited this shopping site many times in
the past to purchase various things like clothing, gifts, tools, etc. This time
I paid closer attention to the signage that was used to direct people to where
they want to go(wayfinding). To say the least it was not very impressive when it comes to
Information Design and wayfinding signs. As you can see from the various pictures there are many
areas for improvement in the area of wayfinding.
Here is a picture of one of the entrances to the shopping
mall. As you can see the entrance is clearly visible with the large octagon
sign that towers in front of the doors. There are a few other entrances like
this located at various places around the perimeter of the complex.
Overall I think the design of this sign is effective. It is
contrasting against the building so it provides a good decision point for
visitors to make navigational choice.
If we were to look at
reaching our destination in terms of problem solving we can follow Romedi
Passini’s process. The process uses three steps: (1)making the decisions and
developing the plan of action to reach the desired location; (2) executing the
decisions by turning the plan into actions at the decision points along the
path; (3) processing information and providing sufficient information to
execute decisions.
After entering the building you can see the inviting architecture
of the arched ceiling and wide walkways. There is not much navigational signage
to be seen at first glimpse. Notice the dinky exit sign located in the top left
of the photo. I definetily feel there is room for improvement. Maybe a bigger
exit sign and one that goes better with the décor.
Walking farther ahead about 75-100ft you will
see a map of the shopping mall on a lit sign in the middle of the aisle. On the
map there is a small yellow triangle that notes “You are here”. Also, the map
has legend containing numbers that point out the various shop names and
locations. I think this map is effective, but it is also is a bit overwhelming
when looking at the list of shops on the top of the sign.
Can you see the restroom sign in this picture on the left? I’ll give you
a hint it is in the upper left of the walkway. This restroom sign needs to be
bigger and have a directional arrow that will get people’s attention.
As you can see from the few examples, this shopping mall
could use some better navigational signage. I believe the signs are too small with
except of the outside entrance signs. They are also lacking in color and
universal symbols. Also, I would feel somewhat lost if I were a foreign visitor
trying to find my way around this place. There is a map available on the mall's website located at: www.oakdalemall.com
References:
Passini, Romedi. Jacobson, Robert. Information Design.
Massachusetts: The MIT Press, 2000. Print.
Hi Patrick;
ReplyDeleteNice post. I like the design and the black post background on top of the blog background which is also black. The white letters show up clearly against the black background. I also like the contrast of the date being in gray letters. The post title shows up great in white as well. In addition, this is a nice overall design for the pictures since there is white in the photo’s. The border on the photo’s looks great and makes the photo “pop” so the reader can focus on them.
You made the design and way finding through the mall clear and effective. Your analysis seems complete and you noticed some common signs that customers are looking for on every trip to the mall.
One thing I have noticed is that most blogs have pictures that support the text when it should be the other way around. This course points out that text should support the photo’s.
Overall, I like the layout and design and think your did a good job explaining what you observed in the mall. It seems like this trip pointed out different things that may have been overlooked before. I think my eyes have been opened and when I am out I look at different things likes signs with a different view.
Great job
Lisa Pimpinella
The elements within this piece have been arranged by repetition of geometric rectangle shapes. They are different in size, height and width. There are hard implied lines and it’s the horizontal and vertical lines in combination communicate a message of constancy and strength. Two dimensional forms (photos) created the illusion of three dimensional shapes. It is the three dimensional shapes depicted that produce depth as well as width and height creating a space that is balanced by the negative and positive spaces within the design. The shapes show the contrast of color against a dark brown background as do the color of an off white high contrast font which is depicted.
ReplyDeleteThe designer is concerned with the elements and principles of art and design by utilizing shape, line and space. The purpose of the work is to convey a clean and simple design that is easily understood. The title of the work, “Critique of a Public Place” does not provide many clues to the meaning as the word “critiquing” could mean a variety of things as to what is being analyzed. The designer conveyed social, cultural, and personal experiences through his work. The shapes portray a retail culture which intertwines with a social element and the designer also added a personal section within the design.
The chosen elements create an effective symbolic message that communicates simplicity and a clean design to understand for a user. At first nothing really stood out when I first viewed this design, but as the lines guided me the shapes attracted my attention. The art movement that might have inspired this designer would be, Genre because it depicts scenes of everyday life without any attempt at idealization. If I had to choose a title for this piece, I would name it, “The Oakdale Mall’s vision of signage and wayfinding.”
I don’t believe that that quality of this work needs improving since it succeeded in conveying the feeling of simplicity and is easy to understand. In my opinion, there are not multiple meanings of the design as the designer’s message is clear. The designer has accomplished what he set out to do.
Good job!!!
Danelle Wolfe