Abstract

Wayfinding in unfamiliar surroundings is something that most people do every day; helping people locate an unknown destination is thus one of the challenges in designing contemporary buildings. One of the most useful ways to help people do so is well-designed signage that communicates environmental information, which individuals rely on to aid in wayfinding. Pictograms, the main component in signage systems, are critical to any wayfinding task. However, pictograms are not always understandable, thus hindering people’s wayfinding efforts. Since cognitive properties play important roles in the comprehension of pictograms, this paper introduces how a graphic design project examines cognitive theory and the usability of pictograms.