A point in a network or diagram at which lines or pathways intersect or branch “the intersections of two or more such arteries would clearly become major nodes of traffic and urban activity”
synonyms: junction, fork, branching, intersection, interchange, confluence, convergence, meeting point, crossing, criss-crossing, vertex, apex
“the intersection of two or more such arteries would become major traffic nodes”
(Dictionary, 2014)
As a staff member of Sheffield Hallam University i often get asked many questions, most of them repeat questions, thus one of the main reasons for doing this project. As most of the questions i get asked are mostly directional related, I would like to try and find a solution to many of these directional related questions. Such as this;
“I don’t understand Sheffield Hallam University’s room numbering system. I was told that the first number was the building number, the second number is the floor level, and the third is the room number. Yet the Owen Building (where the main entrance and heart of the university lies) does not have a building number?”
“So how do I find room 1017?”
“I went to the hospital for a scan and I couldn’t find where I needed to be and was 15 minutes late for my appointment. Once I found it and i’d had my scan I couldn’t remember where i’d come from, so I had to go out of the nearest exit and then walk round the outside of the builidng”
My project aim is to create a naming system; an ‘index’ or design ‘code’ for students and visitors to navigate Sheffield Hallam University more intuitively.
Initial investigation will look at why students and visitors find it difficult to navigate Sheffield Hallam University. Students, visiting lecturers and public visitors will be used as test subjects within the University in its current context, and how their journey may become easier through indexing.
Through this research I aim to design and index a series of cognitive nodes; symbols, patterns or materials as a new design language to remodel existing buildings, which are currently difficult to intuitively read and navigate.
As i’ve never written a blog before, i thought i should test uploading an image from my phone. So here goes!
If only all our interior spaces were as easy to navigate as this…
Boom! The creation of my MA Design WordPress… this blog is the online record of the daily research and findings for my MA Project regarding way finding through Interior Design
Design Wayfinding 