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How do we improve wayfinding around MRU for first year students? -…
How do we
improve wayfinding around MRU for first year students?
Students POV
First Classes Gameplan
Went to find classes by themselves
Used the online map of MRU to find classes
Looked up at headers in hallways
Go to main street
Ask professors or security for direcions
Emotions/Feelings
Nervous
Panic
Anxiousness
Anxiety
Uncomfortable
Stressed
Scared
Isolating
Felt 'small'
Commonly Used Navigation Tools
MRU Interactive Map
Split opinions on simplicity to type in classes
Lack of awareness
Instructions unclear
Felt inconvenient to use
Hard to use on mobile
Orientation/Tours
Didn't retain enough information
Believed that they didn't cover all the areas of the campus
Good at showing the services available and major areas
Helpful for connecting with others
Signs
Not bright/lacking in colour
Low visibility
Reflected off by harsh llghting (white background does not help)
Some seemed to out of place or not updated
Hard to see from a distance
Some signs did not list every hallway
Signs indicating the department of different majors were helpful
Letters of the different wings were useful
Black background with white text are more visbile
Library signs are examples of good sign designs
Landmarks
Wyckham House
Library
Easier to notice
Brochure Map
Levels were clear
Doesn't provide clear alternative routes
Indicators of different halls and classes were only used with letters
Proportions were off and didn't reflect the actual building
More convient to look at than a digital map on phone
Security
Too shy
Intimidating to approach
Didn't want to bother them
Never had a need to ask
Online Map
Indicators and arrows helped point out classes
Levels were divided reasonably
Positives
Repetition of going in the same areas builds memory
Distance is not tiring, speedwalking is enough
Always having their phone with them to use GPS
Feels safe while traveling
Learnt shortcuts in halls by experience
Built compassing skills
Believes in their strengths
Negatives
Classes are far from washrooms
Some areas of MRU are cold
Crowded areas
Hallways' ceilings are too low or they looked too similar
Colours of certain areas look similar to one another (brown)
Lack of windows
Wayfinding in schedule making is too confusing for the first time
Washrooms are too far
Older hallways' signs were not updated
Was cautious traveling around at night
Parking lot lights were not well lit
Entrance signs were not clear
Did not know any alternative routes
Were not notified of class changes
Road around the University is confusing
Rotaing doors at entrance
Bus times could make them late for classes
Hard to visualize where they are and needs to physically be in the area to find their way
Long distance traveling not good for the long run
Design of the elevator and if they broke down really impact a lot of student's routes
Personal Opinions on Improving Navigation
Kiosks
Google Map like App, but for inside MRU
Signs
Eye leveled
Not clear in instructions
Be bigger
Stick out from the wall
Material of sign shouldn't reflect
Line weight thicker
More contrast
Show the entrances and exits
Create 'identification' signs
Help Board in West & East Gate
Mass email of the layout of MRU or class changes
3D Tours of MRU
Alternative Routes for Classes
Make interactive map more simple to use
More awareness on existance of tools provided by MRU
Have a calling number to recieve directions
Have an information desk
Orientation should give more time to wander around
More identification signs
Color coding for different buildings and hallways
First Actions in New Area
Use Google Maps
Ask staff for directions
Look at landmarks
Find main street, major road, or washroom
Find a map or kiosk of area
Figure it out themselves
Call an airplane
Looking for context clues
Experts POV
'Good Wayfinding' is...
Universally understandable
Inclusive to everyone
Simple
Easy to obtain information by first glance
A seamless process
Not noticeable, yet effective
Struggles
Dealing with language barriers
Understanding different terminologies/jargons
Designing around a specific budget
Difficulties giving alternative routes due to lack of data
Asking for permission to collect data and not breach privacy
Constantly updating information of new areas
List of Wayfinding Tools
GPS
Help Center
Landmarks
Kiosks
Informative Bulletin Boards
Signs
Unique Layout/Flooring
Improving Inclusivity
Braille
Adding Indigenous languages
Audio
Eyeleveled
Big text to read
Signs should be...
Consistent with their branding
Targeted to their intended audience
Visible and within eyelevel
Able to give proper information in a specific budget
Colourful
Always clean and new
Benefits of Technology
World was getting more technologically involved
People were more dependent on it
Fast and effiecient way to distribute data
Flexible and always changing
Easy access to maps