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Tag: Wayfinding

Digital Wayfinding Options

Digital wayfinding has been one of the most popular developments in digital signage in the last 6 years when we saw a noticeable uptake in customers evaluating solutions based on support for “wayfinding,” in general- driving rapid growth for several digital signage software leaders, including the San Jose-based 22Miles and Montreal-based X2O/Barco.

Leading digital wayfinding signage systems tout the ability to take an image of a map (often enhanced from a basic CAD file to highlight particular areas of a building or campus, with clearly labeled rooms and points-of-interest) and make it interactive, for zooming and such. In many cases, animated paths can be drawn from the “You Are Here” location (the kiosk) to a destination the user has selected from a list.

This type of wayfinding has come to be called “interactive pathfinding”. But it’s not the only type of wayfinding you can use for digital signage. In fact, in certain cases interactive pathfinding may be unnecessary, and end up being under-utilized (the worst possible fate for your technology investment). At Creating Margin, drawing from over 10 years of experience implementing wayfinding systems of all kinds, we have identified different types of digital wayfinding which we’ll explain below.

If you have questions about how different digital wayfinding signage systems might work for your business, send us a note using the contact form below.

Non-Interactive Options

STATIC WAYFINDING – MAP ONLY

Static Wayfinding

Static Wayfinding is helpful if you’re looking to start with the basics. It doesn’t always need to be interactive to help people navigate!

STATIC WAYFINDING – WITH LEGEND 

Static Wayfinding with Key

Wayfinding with icons and a key are very helpful for large facilities. Especially airports, hospitals, universities and more.

DYNAMIC BEACON WAYFINDING 

Showing an events list, that shows the location of the event on the map, is also a valuable form of wayfinding. This could be great for large corporate offices.

Events List Wayfinding Digital Signage

Interactive Options

INTERACTIVE PATHFINDING 

Interactive Wayfinding can be as simple as a tap. If the user tapped the event on the right side, an animated path would appear on the left.

TURN BY TURN DIRECTIONS 

Wayfinding Turn Instructions

Even with the animated path, it’s also helpful if wayfinding includes instructions on how to get to the next point. Consider adding steps into your wayfinding.

INTERACTIVE MAP WITH POP-UPS 

Ever seen this in the lobby of a hotel? They might have popular things to do listed on a page, and have it open up to a Google Maps page on a large screen for you to look at.

Mobile Wayfinding

GPS “MAPS” 

Google Maps UI

Yes, another form of wayfinding is something we use every day; GPS systems! Google Maps, Waze, and i-Maps are all examples of these.

BLUETOOTH ENABLED WAYFINDING

Wayfinding outside on your phone.

With a dynamic wayfinding beacon, users can connect to the beacon using their smartphone. This allows them to navigate from wherever they are, rather than needing to be in front of a kiosk.

ROOM BOOKING APPS

Wayfinding Book a Room App

Finally, dynamic wayfinding can even include apps that help the user book a room for a meeting, all while using Bluetooth.

What’s your favorite type of digital wayfinding? Share with us below on a way you use this for your office, store, or your building. With the digital signage constantly improving, it’s great to hear how wayfinding affects your lifestyle.

4 Digital Signage Tips For Happier Users

As you embark on your quest for better digital signage and happier end-users, here are a few signage tips we’ve put together to arm you with success.

1. Make it Useful

If you really know your customers, then you’ll know exactly what they need. People often make the mistake of using filler information in place of useful content. Beautiful weather displays and scrolling news feeds are not always useful to the user. Instead, present the user with quality information that will help them from the moment they see it.

2. Make it Comfortable

When people walk up to an interactive display (like a kiosk), it’s important to make sure it caters to every kind of person. Whether it’s a person in a wheelchair, a kid, or an elderly person, each one is just as important. Ensure that each person can comfortably interact with your content, and find what they’re looking for.

Click to See the ADA Guidelines Here: http://www.ada.gov

3. Make it Memorable

Have you ever been to an outdoor mall with a map shown on digital signage? Not only was that useful for lost shoppers, but it was easy to find. There’s nothing worse than hidden signage, or digital signage that’s hard to get to. So if you’ve got the, “when, where, why’s,” all sorted out, then your digital signage should be easy to find and see. Once people know where to find that information, they’ll come back to it again and again.

4. Make it Clear

Any company could own the biggest, and most expensive digital signage screens, and still not make an impact on viewers. But why? Big screens can leave an impression, but if the message isn’t clear and concise, it won’t have a large reach. Be sure the content is easy to read and that interaction steps are clear. Planning strong content with a great message is the first step in making digital signage effective.

Each digital signage solution is unique. These four tips will boost the value of your signage in any situation and make sure that your user is well taken care of!