St Michael's Hospital Toronto Wayfinding Project
- St Michael's Hospital Wayfinding Project
OCAD Thesis / Core Studio - St Michael's Hospital Wayfinding Project was part of my OCAD final year thesis / core studio.The concept was to find a current wayfinding system that has become unsuccessful. This system was apparently created back in 1998 and with growth and changes within the hospital this wayfinding system has become outdated and perplexed over the years. Four old buildings in one creating a labyrinth of narrow corridor's and poor lighting make navigating St Michael's Hospital a terrible feat for everyone.The first 4 months were spent in research, conducting site surveys, finding the current system's problems. The remaining 4 months were spent taking the research and applying it to an appropriate design solution.
Pictogram sets for hospital. From top, left to right, woman's washroom, men's washroom, 4th floor clinics, cafe, neurology, laboratory, respirology, heart health, prenatal, fracture clinic, woman's health, xray, mammography, ENT -ears, nose + throat.
Colour coding, lettering, numbering and themes for buildings + elevators. A theme of familiar leaves native to Canada was introduced along with the numbering to assist a persons wayfinding experience, this helps as a cognitive memory reference that is easier than trying to remember letters + numbers and takes into consideration individuals with colour blindness.
It also creates a decorative element to the wayfinding and signage system for the hospital.
Plants carry the idea of life, health + growth, this is a hospitals goal.
North side map. Levels raised to show main floor entrances in building.
South side map.- Colour samples. Main building colour, letter, leaf vector + themed image as transparency in background. Also Elevator colour + numbers.
Elevators are a huge wayfinding problem at SMH. Visitors have a hard time locating them due to long narrow hallways, with multiple buildings it all becomes a confusing labyrinth. The elevators also don't state where they go, with 4 different buildings each of their elevators only goes to certain floors, this can be confusing. - Directory sign. Dimensions 29.5" x 35". These would be placed at all entrances and elevators. Each wing has a different letter, theme and colour. To help assist with wayfinding for people who may be blind they will be able to distinguish letter: A B C D along with corresponding theme: Ivy, Clover, Maple, Oak.
- Elevator Sign. Dimensions 12" x 21". Placed outside and inside elevator to help people know where they are going and what floor it's on. Currently no signs on the elevators and many people get confused and lost.
- Directional Sign. Dimensions approx 49" x 28.5". These would be placed in the hallways and help tell people where they are and where they need to go.
- Before + After.
Ontarians with Disabilities Act requires signage accessible for persons in wheelchairs - Before + After.
Elevators cleaned up of clutter. This space tends to be the area for bulletins such as hospital news and events, but it seems like too much visual information in the one area that seems to be most problematic and the signs that tell you were your going all blend in. (Current signs made from printed paper in a slide in slot.) Around the elevators painted in there designated colour for clear viewing when coming down the hallway, signs in the building colour and elevator number on wall. - Before + After.
Elevator along with a floor graphic, placed at decision points to assist you in finding the other buildings. - Before + After.
Floor graphic at decision point. As well as wall graphic.
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