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NMA / Wayfinding - Permanent Galleries
Client
National Museum of Australia
Timeline
Ongoing
Date
May 12, 2022
Strategy
Place Branding
Environmental Graphics
As part of ongoing redevelopment occurring across its gallery spaces, the National Museum of Australia saw an opportunity to improve visitor experience by updating its internal wayfinding system. Artikel Design was engaged to help interpret and then guide how visitors move through the museum by improving the clarity and accessibility of the museum’s wayfinding signifiers.
The Opportunity
Over a three-month period, Artikel worked closely with the NMA’s executive and design teams to improve the directional signage featured throughout the museum’s space, intending to deliver a more intuitive visitor experience.
While allowing for flexible or free interactions throughout the space, the complex architectural features of the National Museum can create complex or confusing experiences for users. Features such as the multiple access points and intersecting pathways were critical to consider whilst approaching this design.
To address these factors, a journey map was created by auditing the existing wayfinding system and observing user journeys throughout the permanent galleries.
This map highlighted moments within the space where a user’s journey was determined by a decision between multiple pathways, while identifying multiple “pain points” or encounters where users experienced confusion while trying to navigate the space.
The identification of these moments and “pain points” was critical to the initial design development, as it ensured that the emerging designs considered and met user needs. This response to user needs is exemplified in the design’s placement within areas recognised as points of navigational confusion, which ensures that users can easily access information from signage that supports their exploration through the museum.
The Outcome
Drawing on his knowledge of interface design and experience employing fundamental design principles, Nick created a new wayfinding system that was driven by a user-centric approach.
This approach, evidenced by the user journey audit, informed the key design principles that shaped the outcome of the wayfinding system, for example, the use of a clear visual hierarchy within signage.
By simplifying the visual cues and providing a more intuitive hierarchy, the navigational signage created balances accessibility with flexibility to effectively support user experiences.
Due to the major structural works underway at the museum, and the trial nature of this project, Artikels’ wayfinding designs were produced on simple adhesive vinyl, allowing for easy modification and cost effectiveness.
The outcomes of this project also encompass the creation of multiple initial concept packages alongside a style manual, featuring design decisions such as colour, sign layout, structure and typographic details including font, size and weight.
The Experience
Through user consideration and seamless utilisation of visual cues and clear pathways, these designs afford a more enjoyable experience within the gallery spaces.
The trial wayfinding system is designed to support a wide range of visitor interactions within the space while respecting the architectural flow of the museum. Through careful placement, tested design logic, and a pared-back visual approach, the trial system enables visitors to move confidently and independently through the galleries.
Conclusion
As part of the development of the permanent gallery spaces, the NMA will trial the project outcomes, continuing to adopt and consider visitor feedback to achieve an improved user experience for navigating the built environment.
Artikel’s engagement in this project contributed to an overall experience of accessibility and enjoyment within the museum.
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