Wayfinding encompasses the information-gathering and decision-making processes people use to orient themselves and navigate through space; simply put, how people get from one location to another.
My Group included: Lauren Cruz, Damon Simmons, Monica Shaheed, and of course Me
Situation: being able to find the location of a book at the Watson Library on the KU campus
The Steps We Took
Step 1:Test subject ( We each found someone that had never been to the Watson Library and fallowed them around as they tried to find a predetermined book and took notes)
My Experience
Test Subject: Annabell a freshmen from my hall.
-We started off at the computers to find the call number for the book (Thank goodness she knew to at least do that because I sure didn't)
-After finding the call number she went to go search for the book but had no clue where to start ( I might have cheated a little at this pointed out the sign/map on the wall)
-Not only did she have problem finding the sign/map she had trouble lining up the call number with where they were located at.
-Once she figured out were she needed to go she couldn't find a sign to lead her into the stacks
-Once in the stacks she didn't know how to get to the next floor so she decided to take the creepy elevator.
-Then once on the right floor she had to find the right row of books which was found difficult as well since there were signs missing.
Groups Experiences
Their experiences were similar to mine
Step 2:Tested A Few Paper Signs (We made signs out of computer paper and marker and hung them up to see if they would help)
-the signs helped out finding the stacks faster but there were a few more things that could be fixed on.
Step 3: Solutions (Taking our signs a step further)
Ideas: Here are a few sketches i drew up for some ideas we had before we put them into practice.
<Brochure next to the computer
showing call numbers and
corresponding stacks
<A sign leading to the stacks
<A sign with call numbers in the stacks
Here are what a few of the final signs looked like
Step 4: Test it out (We had a final test subject try to find a book)
Test Subject: Austen (he had the same task as the people before but this time around all the signs were hung up)
- Brochure helped Austin figure out where
the book was located
- The map directed him right to the stacks
-The signs made it clear he was in the right
place
- He found the book in less than 5 minutes
Over all I would say that our new signs were a great improvement to the old system.
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