Design of visual navigation systems. Interactive map “TouchInform: Navigator” What you need to know when developing visual navigation

This phrase refers to the development of a visual communication system. But let’s use the increasingly common term “navigation”, because it is rapidly coming into use in a broad and narrow sense, from satellite navigators, navigators in a shopping center and navigation of Internet sites, etc.

The purpose of the navigation system is to solve 3 sequential tasks:

· where we are;

· what surrounds;

· and how to get there.

That is, in short, the main problem is to get an answer to the questions: “where” - “what” - “how”.

Work on creating a navigation and information system begins with developing a concept. At the initial stage, the navigation philosophy and design concept are determined. This serves as the starting point for all subsequent work. Having decided on the principle of the navigation system and the concept design, we then move on to the seemingly routine work of placing layout diagrams, designations and route signs. But there is a twist here - the set of information and navigation elements should fit harmoniously into the space, be sufficient and non-redundant, easy to read, at the same time stylish and discreet, not interrupt the colorful signs and interior display windows of brands and boutiques.

Briefly summarizing the above, the sequence of navigation development is as follows:

concept

· development and placement of navigation elements

· estimation of the cost of manufacturing and installation.

From the point of view of implementing the information and navigation scheme, exaggerated practice says this:

· we put a detailed diagram on the inputs and outputs

· diagrams at key intersections of corridors and galleries

· signs and informants, hanging, etc., throughout the space.

But if it were all that simple...

In conclusion, let's remember the everyday, cute and expensive Moscow metro. A classic example of a navigation and information system. Diagrams at the entrance to the metro - determining the point where we are (station name), looking at the diagram of what is around - determining the route. Convenient hanging and wall-mounted navigator signs take you underground, lift you up, and prevent you from getting lost in large crowds of people. For a wide range of generations of Muscovites, the metro has psychologically imprinted a stereotype of orientation in a closed space with several entrances and exits. The subway's existence has polished the subway's information and navigation system. There is something to think about and something to look at.

Visual navigation systems

The navigation and information system is a powerful tool for winning the loyalty of visitors to Shopping and Shopping and Entertainment Centers and other large commercial areas. The Western terms “wayfinding” and “signage” received Russian registration in the following semantic and terminological application. Wayfinding is ensuring the visitor’s orientation in an unfamiliar place in a broad sense; our term is “navigation system.” Signage - development, production and placement of signs and informants.

The visual communication system (navigation system), in our understanding, serves to determine one’s own location, become familiar with surrounding objects, develop a route and accompany one along the way to an object - a goal.

That is, the problem is solved where we are, What around, outline path and follow the signs to reach places.

Sometimes a visitor to a shopping center, during a long period of acquaintance and active use of the shopping center, goes to another store for some goods, not realizing that not only the product he is interested in, but an entire section of potentially interesting products and services exist nearby.

According to the results of several studies, difficulty in finding orientation in a store is the second most important factor in the negative impact on the visitor, after unsanitary conditions and crowded conditions.

A correct and well-thought-out visual navigation system is solved in three levels of a retail space:

· architectural and planning solution

· methods and means of retail space design

· navigation elements themselves, such as diagrams, pointers, informers, etc.

For shopping centers, navigation should include, in addition to the internal orientation system, also an external one - movement around the surrounding area, parking, exiting into the city, etc.

As an example, we provide a list of elements that should be taken into account when developing internal navigation projects in a shopping center.

Table 1. - Characteristics of the enterprise

• information stands - prefabricated mobile structures that allow you to place any information and save money on processing the entire information surface;
• modular signs are structures that include several information signs and signs and are produced in the form of a decorative panel, sign, stele, cantilever structure, etc.;
• signs with the ability to change information - a practical profile with grooves into which posters are inserted;
• hanging signs - used in places where it is not possible to install wall signs;
• end double-sided (flag) indicators - fastened with screws to ceilings and walls at right angles;
• free-standing ground or floor structures - pylons, stands on a leg, floor light boxes, etc., equipped with several information surfaces;
• lighting solutions – information carriers with internal lighting for places that require a light accent to attract everyone's attention.

Navigation systems are a set of signs, plates, interactive displays and other elements that facilitate free orientation in a building. When entering a large shopping center or office building for the first time, a visitor is forced to look for clues that will help him get to the right office and find the group of goods that interests him. Well-executed building navigation:

• Saves visitors time;
• Creates the most comfortable conditions for them;
• Increases the attractiveness of a store, office building, etc.

Visual navigation involves the use of a variety of elements: building diagrams, floor numbering, product signs, etc. Additionally, audio and tactile navigation can be used.

The benefits of well-designed navigation

• Increase in the number of clients‒ if a shopping center or office building is convenient, visitors will come to it again and again.

• Increased sales- freely navigating the building, the buyer quickly finds the goods he needs.

• Promotion bandwidth shopping center‒ high-quality navigation reduces the time spent searching for products and allows more customers to visit the store.

Navigation in the shopping center

The navigation system in a shopping center has its own characteristics. She must:

• Be convenient for customers;
• Effectively solve marketing problems.

Developing navigation systems for a shopping center involves taking into account many important points. It is necessary to take into account the location of trade pavilions and product groups, and select the correct design of navigation elements.

Properly executed in-store navigation ensures a significant increase in profits and increases the prestige of the shopping center. Therefore, the development of navigation for a shopping center should be entrusted to experienced specialists.

Navigation in business centers

The navigation system in an office building should be extremely clear and concise, this will allow visitors to save time. When designing such a system, all key points must be taken into account - those places in the building in which the visitor may have difficulty choosing a path.

Text information must be duplicated with symbolic information, since some visitors may not know the language in which the inscriptions are made. Navigation in the office should be clearly visible, and all its elements should be located in convenient places.

Professional design of navigation systems

• High-quality navigation design taking into account all the features of your building;
• Production of navigation systems in the most short time at competitive prices.

All signs, plaques, information stands and other navigation elements are produced using modern equipment and differ high quality and durability. To place an order or ask any questions you may have, call us at the numbers provided.

instructions to the user (a difficult task, if only because the hardest thing is to get them to read these instructions). Any time a system needs to make it easier for the user to work with an interface by providing information (for example, when the user has just started working with the site or made a mistake), this is an information design task.

Navigation design

Navigation design seems simple: all you need to do is place links on each page so that the user can navigate the site. However, if you look a little deeper, the challenges of navigation design become apparent. The navigation design on any website must simultaneously solve three problems:

First, it must provide users with a way to get from one point on the site to another. Since in many cases it is impossible to connect each page with all the others (and even if it is possible, it is unreasonable for general reasons), it is necessary to select navigation elements so that they simplify the actual movements of the user; Among other things, this implies that the links must be working.

Second, navigation design must reflect the relationships between internal navigation elements. Simply providing a list of links is not enough. How do these links relate to each other? Are some more important than others? What's the difference between them? This information is necessary for the user to understand what choices he has.

Third, the navigation design should reflect the relationship between the content of the navigation elements and the page that is in front of the user. What does all this pile of links have to do with the page I'm looking at right now? This information will help the user understand what choices he can make.

should be done to best achieve his goal or solve the problem at hand.

When navigating in physical space, a person can rely to a certain extent on an internal sense of direction. (Of course, there are also people who always feel lost.) However, the mechanisms of our brain that help us find our way in the physical world (“hmm ... I think the door through which I entered is somewhere behind and to the left”) , are completely useless when finding a way in the information space.

That's why it's vital that every page on a website clearly communicates to users where they are on the site and where they can go. The question is to what extent can users navigate information spaces, is still controversial to this day. Some experts zealously defend the point of view that when visiting websites, users build small maps in their minds, like when visiting a supermarket or library; others argue that users rely almost entirely on the navigational cues in front of them, as if every step they take on the site is instantly erased from their memory.

We still don't know how (or to what extent) users represent the structure of a website in their minds. Until we figure this out, it's best to assume that users don't remember anything as they move from one page to another. (After all, if a public search engine like Google indexes your site, the entry point to your site could be any page.)

Most sites actually provide the user with several navigation systems, and each plays a role in orienting the user to the site in different circumstances. In practice, several types of navigation systems have been developed.

Global navigation provides access to a significant part of the site. The term "global" here does not mean

that this navigation must appear on every page of the site - although this would not be a bad idea. (We will call navigation elements that are present on all pages of the site “persistent”; it should be remembered that permanent elements are not always global.) In fact, global navigation is a set of entry points that users need to navigate from one “ end" of the site to another. You can (one way or another) get to any place on the site that you need using global navigation.

Global

navigation

Local navigation provides users with access to the “closest” elements of the architecture. In a strictly hierarchical architecture, local navigation can, for example, provide access to the parent page, child pages, and neighbor pages. If your architecture is structured according to how users imagine site content, local navigation tends to be more popular than other navigation options.

Local

navigation

Additional

navigation

Additional navigation provides more fast access to content related to the current page that may not be directly accessible through global or local navigation. This type of navigation design has the benefits of faceted classification (it allows users to shift the focus of their exploration to other content elements without having to return to the starting point), but it also allows for the preservation of the site's primarily hierarchical architecture.

Contextual navigation embedded directly into the page content (and therefore sometimes called micronavigation). This type of navigation (for example, hyperlink

V text on a page) is often underused (if not completely incorrect). Often, users decide that they want another piece of information while reading text on a page. Why not put the corresponding link directly

V text, without forcing the user to scan the page up and down in search of the necessary navigation element (or, worse, drop everything and contact the search engine)?

Contextual

navigation

Returning to the strategy level topic, the better you know your users and their needs, the more effective the contextual navigation you deploy will be. If your users don't get obvious support from contextual navigation to work on their tasks and achieve their goals (for example, your text is crammed with so many hyperlinks that users simply can't figure out which ones apply to their needs), they will It's fair to see it as trash.

Service navigation provides access to elements that the user does not need on a daily basis, but which are usually provided for the sake of his convenience. For example, in the real world, store doors usually have opening hours posted on them. For most shoppers, the lion's share of the time, this information is of no value: standing next to it, anyone can easily figure out whether the store is open now. However, knowing that this information is readily available helps the buyer who suddenly needs it. Links to contact information, feedback forms, and site policy statements are common elements of service navigation.

Service

navigation

Some navigation aids are not built into the structure of the pages, but exist independently of the content and functions of the site. These are the tools remote navigation, which users turn to when they are confused in the other navigation tools you provide

Environment design

http://www.omnibusdesign.ru/space_design/

http://www.indexmarket.ru/products/?content=item&id=1836

http://architektonika.ru/2008/01/15/gorodskaja_sreda_v_strukture_reklamy.html

The environment in which a consumer encounters your brand, be it the entrance to a bank branch, a retail outlet, or a sales office, becomes an integral part of your brand image. Interesting and bright solutions for navigation, interiors, and exteriors, closely related to the visual image of the company, are an effective means of influencing the audience, strengthening the brand and increasing its memorability.

Environmental design is a complex, multifaceted creative process. In addition to designers, marketing specialists, architects, engineers, and ergonomic specialists are involved in this work. Experience and knowledge in the field of production technology of various designs allows us to offer convenient and practical solutions taking into account cost and production constraints.

Design of visual navigation systems

Environmental design projects often involve creating a visual navigation system. This system is created taking into account the scale and purpose of the room. The navigation system should harmoniously complement the interior of the room, becoming its “ graphical interface”, in fact - the language in which the room communicates to its visitors the information necessary for orientation in a space, sometimes large and rich. The system should give visitors the feeling that they are in a modern and interesting, and most importantly, understandable and hospitable world. To develop a navigation concept, a comprehensive study of the characteristics of the premises, forecasting and analysis of the behavior and movement of visitor flows is required.

Often in the process of creating a visual navigation system, a set of icons is developed. Pictogram - simple graphic image, laconically illustrating a certain object or concept, in our case, a functional part of the room. The purpose of a pictogram is to convey information in a shorter, faster, clearer, more effective way than a word. Good system pictograms are characterized by unity of style and strict adherence to a set of graphic rules and the philosophy underlying it.

The graphic, font, and color solutions of navigation elements and icons are based on the corporate style of the brand representing the premises, which creates a coherent and memorable image. The result of this work is a modern and unique system that will be functionally and aesthetically relevant for many years.

Design of the exhibition pavilion of the Novaya Voda company

Design of the exhibition pavilion of a company engaged in the production of water purification systems. The color scheme of the stand is designed in the company's corporate colors, distinguishing it from its competitors, and is designed to attract the attention of exhibition visitors.