Idea Development

Here is the development of my first idea, although I did not use this idea as my final resolution, because it lacked depth it was just reusing the colour system which the core was already using only this time the colours where pastel. The main idea behind this was using colour to help shoppers navigate there way through. My first idea was to have different colours under a specific level writing, I used a dark grey board matched with the shop level, The idea for the dark grey (see figure 1)came from boards outside the core which where also dark grey. I believe this may have been the branding before they re branded to using there three bright colours. I decided against this quickly because it seemed very simple and outdated I felt the wayfinding needed to inform energy.  For the next idea each colour was taken from the branding but used in pastel to create a relaxed environment this decision was informed through the target audience and how people would like there leisure time to be relaxing. The signs have been made as simple as possible for them to be easily understood, thin black lines are used to separate information and represent each level(see figure 2 and 6). 0 is used because this is ground level however considering now I would have it as 1 due to confusion. The typeface used was Helvetica throughout this keeps consistency and strong legibility. The font however is small which could be a issue for people that suffer with visual impairment. There are no brand logos like originally, this is to keep things clear and easy to understand. It would of been made from two layers of acrylic one coloured under the white to create a coloured line which flows around the board. (see figure 4) These where created to be hung above toilets, elevators etc they where designed to be as simple as possible while keeping consistency through the back colour layer. (see figure 7) for the colour codes of chosen colours. This idea of flow is also used within the pictogram with most being made of only one line.(see figure 5) I wanted it to feel like the like the system had movement representing energy and a good feeling. 

One isssue with these pictograms was that they was slightly thin which from afar could be difficult to see stroke weight could be increased to help fix this. I found they did fit in well however with this system. I recreated the logo for this wayfinding system to fit in more seamlessly

It now used just on colour instead of multiple. (see Figure 4)

     The problem with this idea was that it just lacked within a lot of elements. It was not trying anything new the original system used colours to help identify levels however this was slightly unnecessary as the levels are relatively easy understand. Because there is not a lot of shops past the first floor.  When I presented these Ideas to my critique group the large majority swayed to my second idea with comments that this lacked originality and innovation. 

One of the days when I was observing The Core, I noticed that a large portion of the outlet was made of wood and the paint is all white. They also have wooden ceilings, wooden floors, wooden stairs, all the tables and chairs are also wooden. This helped to inform my second idea of using lots of bamboo within the system however my initial reason is because bamboo is a sustainable source of material it’s also very strong and versatile. It’s a innovative material which will help push for a more green future and making the core apart of that will indefinably increase awareness and popularity not to mention current audiences enjoying even more as a large amount of there audience are based around the gym something which promotes healthy living this links into a sustainable life and looking after the planet this also links into birkan yoga’s customers as well. People are looking at sustainability differently now and it will be a good thing for the image of brands within there facility’s also. So when developing It was largly based around materials, scale and adaptablitly. I wanted to create something which could work throughout the centre and constantly be changing with the centre, this is because it is still a jump and coming building with new shops opening every now and again. When researching the centre I noticed that a large majority of it was made from wood, The floors where wooden, the eating area was all wooden and the roofing was wooden (see figure 1) This then informed my material decision as I wanted it to fit within the space subtley. I had a good think about customer base I came to the conclusion that the regular customers tended to go to The gym and the yoga. The rest tended to stay downstairs ether eating or shopping. This then informed my decision to use a sustainable material as I feel it fits the costumers base well, it also looks good on The cores image showing they have ethical values. I choose to use bamboo plywood as the material, bamboo grows at fast rates making it more sustainable than wood. The concept behind the design is to have a long rectangular free standing board which curves off slightly towards the top to keep it grounded at the bottom. (see figure 3)  These boards would be made from one pieces of bamboo plywood which rounds off at three angles to form the shape. The aim is to create something which is relatively light weight this makes it versatile as it can be moved to best suit the customers. They would be 5ft tall and 3.5ft wide with elevated numbering this idea was informed  from research into how our brain remembers locations although in a slightly different manner as it is not within a map. It also creates something customers will not miss and can touch. (see figure 1 & 3) The shop names on each floor will be stencilled onto the boards in white, originally I looked into them being burnt into the boards however after reviewing the two I decided stencils where the more logical route to go down. This is because new ones can be added very fast and cost effectively. This is important because The Core is still growing with spaces open to rent. 

       To fit along side this design would be a rectangular box also made from a one sheet of bamboo plywood. This would be much smaller around 40cm x 40cm, It would be used for the smaller bits of information such as fire escape exit, the elevator, the eating area, toilets as well as the shops etc. For this I wanted full versatility and adaptability. The rectangular shape allows for this because it can fit into right angles this allows it to be placed in corners top, bottom and middle. It can also be placed straight onto the walls both horizontal and vertical . Its four sides allow for a range of different positions and uses. (see Figure 4) The typefaces are aligned left on each wooden block 

Further development lead me to looking at how else the centre could be improved. First  was the eating area, which had a large board with inconsistent picuture which represented nothing of the actualy food sold. It also had big buy to let sign at the bottom of the baord. To redo this I wanted to take advance of the materials I was planning on using throughout the building. I mocked up both ideas to get a feel of which fitted in better. I found that the coloured version had a much bolder child friendly approach. The bamboo however looked much more sheik and luxurious. The large lettering was chosen as it gets the idea across very quickly, its big and bold, Telling customers to ‘EAT, DRINK and SHOP!’ this also is the tag line of the core so it keeps the branding within the wayfinding something I aimed to achieve. It was also what informed me to use this wording. The entrance was also just to fit into the wayfinding, I orginaly changed the logo to be something more simple which used less colours as I felt it was unnecessary using all 3 on the logo its self. I created a bamboo board to fit into my final resolution. 

Where the core originally had large vyinal prints of the floor level with other bits of information. These have been replaced by small poster that they originally had around the space, this time I have enlarged the posters instead, This is to keep aspects of the brand alive within the building. The originally level information boards lacked any real needed information. Along side these can sit the boxes with bits of information of the floor level and shops. ( see furgure 3 & 4)These however are not a vital part of the wayfinding they are just extras to create a more constant vibe throughout the centre. I wanted to take into consideration all aspects of the centre this is an example of how i have done that.