We live in a world where creative ideas spring up on a daily basis. If you’re asking where you can come across this outpour of creativity, the answer is “everywhere.” But do you wonder how handy it will be if you ever happen to be lost in a huge unfamiliar place? This is why we need to learn about environmental graphic design (EGD).
Environmental graphic design, currently known as experiential graphic design, is a set of interior and exterior design disciplines meant to connect people and places with wayfinding directions and elements. They help people easily find their way in spacious areas such as restaurants, universities and business centers.
Need to learn more about EGD? Read below.
What Solutions Does Experiential Design Offer for Interior Wayfinding?
Picking the right solutions for your interior wayfinding is the fun part of the whole process. Let’s discuss these solutions together.
3D Wayfinding Elements
When it comes to large areas, wayfinding becomes a real challenge. Don’t hesitate to choose dimensional elements to draw a clear path for your audience. Dimensional wayfinding elements, such as 3D letter signs, are highly effective in guiding people through any facility. Fully customizable and visually appealing, this number-one solution will help you kill two birds with one stone. Create the best-fitting dimensional element for your interior and show the path to make your audience feel comfortable.
Imagery and Directional Graphics
Has it ever happened that you were walking in a shopping mall chasing colorful graphics on the floor or walls which were leading you around? This is honestly one of my favorite things to do, just for the fun of it.
Creative imagery and directional arrows are a great way to pique your visitors’ curiosity. It could be as simple as getting vivid wall or floor decals for a specific area inside your building or getting the signage painted directly onto the desired area. Create displays using your favorite material, adjust them to your interior design and don’t forget to get crafty with a pinch of humor.
Bear in mind - a funny display is key in helping your visitors stay stress-free.
Informative Wayfinding Maps
Imagine that you’re invited to a job interview in a large business center built like a maze. You’re nervous as to how the interview will go, and you’re also afraid you won’t find the room in time.
Even if you haven’t experienced this scenario in real life yet, you’re almost certain to go through it at some point. To avoid such a situation, read my next suggestion on getting informative maps and featuring them in the corridor or at the entrance. As long as your display is for interior showcasing, several materials can serve the purpose here. Create a static wood or metal display to fasten onto the walls or get digital wayfinding maps. In this case, directions are shown on screens helping people reach their destination faster.
What Concepts Shape Experiential Design Today?
While you’re excited about how elegant your wayfinding system may look, it’s necessary to figure out why you need it in your building. Experiential design consists of several concepts. Here are the main points you shouldn’t miss out on.
Deliver Messages Correctly
If you wonder how EGD may be connected to communication, you should start from the roots of the concept. Dig into the history and you’ll find interesting facts about human interaction dating back to the earliest centuries. Cavemen left various symbols on cave walls that helped them communicate. The same scenario is ongoing in our society even today. The concept evolved quickly through the centuries and became a fundamental part of experiential design.
Nowadays, experiential design is used by many businesses and other organizations with a clear intent - to communicate with their audience. Incorporate this concept in the process whenever you intend to create and showcase graphic designs.
Enhance Environments
Whether you own a huge business or a small food court, only your imagination and creativity can make your surroundings visually stimulating. Remember that colors grab attention. Come up with vibrant displays that will create an appealing contrast with your interior design.
Are you worried about not meeting this criterion perfectly because you can’t get your creative juices flowing at the moment?
Don’t worry. There’s always a way out of any situation. Keep your finger on the pulse to learn about annual trend updates suggested by designers and artists. Ask specialists for advice, share your expectations and form a catchy interior wayfinding system that will stand out.
Attract Young Customers and Visitors
Times change rapidly, so do tastes and preferences. With every new generation, full-colored fashion becomes trendy and gains popularity amongst youngsters. Since the integration of young people is another crucial concept for experiential design, take this factor into account before getting started with the design.
How is it done? Whether you choose dimensional elements, graphics or directional maps for your wayfinding system, make sure to design them with juicy colors and 3D effects. Once all is done, people will have no choice but to cast a glance and grow curious.
Integrate Your Audience
Even the most high-ranking organizations face the risk of losing their devoted audience if they don’t keep up with the frequent updates and upgrades. Experiential design includes many forms of signage, graphics, 3D displays and others. Each of these elements can be updated time and time again, allowing your brand to stay evergreen and engage more people.
How can you handle it? Check all the updates by world-renowned designers, keep up with annual trends and see which colors are most applicable.
Prioritize Usefulness
Now that you’ve found all the keys and set up a wayfinding system with catchy graphics and 3D elements, you’re surprised that it flopped. Is there anything you missed during the process?
The simplest but most vital factor in making a lasting impression is being helpful to visitors. An average person who is embarrassed to head in unknown directions won’t appreciate finding a bunch of ads instead of a handy guide.
You can still boost your brand with short ads. But remember that your mission is to provide the right directions. Redesign your interior wayfinding wisely.
Now you’re aware of all the elements that will assist you in creating spectacular interior wayfinding designs. This method is more cost-effective than any other alternative you could use. All you need to make sure of is that your creative ideas will save you money and still allow you to create stunning displays.
Experiential graphic design is no more than an outpouring of creativity that brings people and places together. I’m delighted that I could write this article and help you find your way.
Cutting expenses while increasing productivity is a winning combination. When you’re finished, the outcome will take everyone’s breath away. It goes without saying, it'll also help others avoid getting lost.
