- REDUCTIVE WAYFINDING SIGNAGES -
The objective for this project was to create effective wayfinding signages that would be used in a kitchen or hardware store. This was done by creating icons that reflected a simplified version of specific items typically found in these types of stores. The items that I chose to use for the compositions were a hammer, cup, and scissors. These items were chosen given how each of them can be used to represent a specific section found within a hardware store since wayfinding signage should be direct and simple to understand.
Process
The first stage of development started with finding and photographing three objects around my household that could be potentially be used as a symbol on signage. Once the three objects were selected and photographed, I drafted two sketches of each item. The first round of sketches were a direct translation of the photographed items and the second round sketches were simplified versions of the first sketches that focused on the main features of each particular item that make up its form.
Initial Photographs of Each Item.
First Round of Sketches.
Second Round of Sketches.
These sketches were then digitized and further refined using the pen and shape tools in Illustrator through multiple stages of iterations.
After determining the most effective icon designs for each item, I began to implement descriptive words within the compositions that paired with each icon. These words would serve as a representation of the particular category of items that the signage would direct people towards. Through this stage of the design process, I also looked into different typefaces that could be used on the signage. The objective was to make sure that the typeface was legible from afar but also pair well with the icon.
The san serif font Interstate was selected as the final typeface given its bold appearance and legibility. I felt that using a serif typeface would’ve been difficult to interpret from a distance and didn’t match with the style of the reductive icons that I had produced.
Once the descriptive wording and typeface was determined, I began to experiment with the layout of the elements on the composition and implementing a color palette in order to make the signage both effective and visually appealing.
The colors were extracted using a CMYK color model. The pastel tones of brown, blue, and yellow created a nice contrast when paired with each other. This contrast in colors allows for the icons and wording on each composition to stand out in the foreground without having to compete with the background.
Outcome
The final three signage demonstrate the effectiveness of producing wayfinding signage that is clear, visually appealing, and easy to understand. Additionally, this set of icon lockups works well for wayfinding signage when paired with a playful color palette and bold, sans-serif typeface. When examining the layout and framing of each icon per composition, each composition only shows a partial part of the item. This was done because the characteristics highlighted within the frame of the composition give enough context for the viewer to interpret and understand what item is being shown without having to show the whole figure.
