Healthcar
e facilities are complex. They are extensive webs of interconnecting and nearly identical rooms, monochromatic hallways, and multiple buildings. Navigating these massive mazes can be disorienting and frustrating on top of what may already be a disquieting experience for health reasons. In fact, getting lost is among the top complaints for visitors to healthcare facilities.
The latest research shows that “text and arrow” signage is no longer adequate to most effectively guide our experiences through a healthcare environment. The inherent complexity of navigating healthcare systems requires a more robust, multi-faceted, and thoughtful approach to guiding patients and visitors to their destinations.
In inefficie
nt environments even the most basic questions, such as “How do I get from point A to B” and “Where is X, Y, or Z”, can lead patients in circles or to a string of dead ends. Ironically, research also shows us that adding more signage actually compounds confusion in healthcare environments. Rather, efficiency is less about quantity than about the placement, cohesion, and quality of the presented information.
Healthcare facilities are visually sterile for good reason – they need to be sanitary. The natural side effect however is that healthcare facilities can feel “dreary”, and if information does not draw one’s attention, it will be easily overlooked. It therefore becomes all the more important that information accomplishes three seemingly conflicting tasks: maintaining the hygienic appearance of the environment, yet drawing one’s attention, and doing so in a way that provides visually appealing undertones to the monochrome surroundings.
Healthcare employees can’t be everywhere at once to help people on their way – hence Wayfinding signage. That leaves us to ask: what are the most essential questions and what combination of text and/or pictures communicates the greatest amount of information? Each healthcare facility will have a different answer and requires a unique approach to informing patients. The method of approach is critical.
I. Planning
- We have an initial owner/designer/fabricator team meeting to establish the scope, objectives, direction, and makeup of the family of signs.
- Next we discuss the time-frames, project milestones, scheduling goals, and coordination obstacles.
- This is followed up by laying out the review processes for the project schedule and approval.
II. Design Development
- With scope and objectives in hand, we collaborate with the ownership team to further clarify Programming details.
- We verify footings and supports for signage that will drive the engineering specifications of the signs.
- Local sign codes are outlined to determine restrictions.
- Design Concepts are reviewed to ensure that concepts are congruent with the vision of the ownership team and identity of the healthcare facility.
- The facility is walked through in full to justify the the location of each proposed sign
III. Shop Drawing
- Concept Designs are compiled into fully specified construction drawings.
- The following is provided to the ownership team in hard copy as well as electronic format (PDF):
- Elevations and dimensional layouts for each sign type
- Section details
- Colors and materials specifications
- Mounting and installing requirements
- Sign location plans
- Sign face layouts
- Fabrication shop drawings to be provided by Image Group as part of the manufacturing process. These shop drawings are for the review and approval prior to production of signs.
IV. Implementation
