Topic: Subway Navigation
According to the research findings from the previous phase, our groups summarized a few inputs from our stakeholders during the interview and observational studies. Based on that, we decided to intervene in the signage of the current subway system because it is the most critical element in the entire commute experience for every commuter.
We also conducted a concept testing last class and the concepts we proposed relevant to signage improvement include:
- What do you think about the current signs? How often do you use them and how important are they to you? Are they easy to be noticed and read?
- Do you think the current signage needs to be simplified (fewer words) or add more details?
- Would you prefer to have any interactive signs? (In case you are not in a rush and get to a big station for the first time ever, would you be inclined to use it?)
- Do you think the improvement in the current signs will cause more problems?
The result of the concept testing demonstrates that the overhead signs are really important for commuters to navigate in the station, especially the big stations. However, when there is too much information that needs to be displayed on a sign at the same time, the current sign becomes a little confusing as the information is not properly prioritized. In addition, big stations usually have multiple floors, but the signs are just 2-dimensional. Indicated directions in 3-D using 2-D signage is another problem. Besides, commuters would prefer the normal sign instead of the interactive one because they are less willing to spend extra time to stand still and interact with a sign.
Based on all the stakeholders’ input from the concept testing and the research from the previous phase, I developed three concepts for design interventions.
Concept 1 – Information Simplification
One of the biggest problems of the current signage is information overflow. In many big stations, there are many lines and exits and they are in different directions, and all that information needs to be included on a small sign. The majority of the current signs with multiple information are confusing, especially for NYC subway beginners. Thus, the first concept for design intervention is to simplify the information on the signage.
For this concept, a random current sign is picked as an example. In this sign, there are 3 types of information happening, exit, other lines, and the way to other lines. However, the current layout of information can be confusing, and there are too many words to read. The sketch of the intervention was created last class with our team members, we converted the words to a more readable sign/logo and moved the arrow sign to the middle to better point the direction.
Concept 2 – Exit Signs Improvement
According to my interview from the previous phase, the exits of each station can be confusing. Current exits are marked using the road names and the direction, e.g. 41 St & 7 Av SE corner, which is hard to memorize. My interviewee said that he always needs to find some buildings or stores next to the exit he wants as a reference when he needs to meet someone over there. He also highly recommends using numbers to indicate each exit so that it will be much easier to differentiate and memorize. Based on this, the second concept for design intervention is to improve exit signs.
I did some research on the exit signs in other regions’ subway stations, and I found some signage that would perfectly satisfy the demand that my interviewee proposed. The image on the left is an exit sign from a subway station in Chongqing China. This sign includes the direction of different exits and the road name/infrastructures at the corresponding exit. This design solved the problem of differentiating and memorizing different exits (using numbers) while retaining the information on road names to help commuters identify the way they would like to go.
Based on this design, I created a sketch of an exit sign for the NYC subway.
Concept 3 – Directional Signage Improvement
Another issue of the navigation is clearly pointing 3-D directions with 2-D signage. Based on my observation so far, current NYC subway signs only use arrows in different directions, which is insufficient to indicate direction in complex spaces and can easily cause confusion. Therefore, the third concept for design intervention is to improve the directional signage.
I recently visited Moynihan Train Hall at New York Penn Station, and I noticed that the signs at the Train Hall are much clearer and readable than those in the subway stations. The directional signs at the Train Hall used a combination of arrow signs and tool symbols, such as a staircase and escalator.
Pure arrow signs can cause confusion because they can be interpreted differently, for instance, ‘↑’ can mean going up or going forward, and ‘↓’ can mean going down or going backward. Using a combination of arrows and other symbols would solve the problem of confusing interpretations to some extent, as well as spatial directional indications.
Based on this design, I sketched a new signage for a random sign in the NYC subway stations.
In addition, one of the biggest causes of disorientation is the unfamiliarity of the space as a whole. When people are traveling in the station, it’s easy to lose direction because they don’t know where they are and what space is ahead and behind them. To solve this problem, a 3-D map of the entire station can be added to the station to help the way-finding for commuters.
The images above came from the “Project Subway NYC” project by Candy Chan. This is a very cool project and her drawing of stations in 3-dimensional can be helpful for way-finding.
— 11/29/2023