Hospital Wayfinding – Research & Strategy

Client: UVM Medical Center – My role: Human-Centered Designer, focusing on research & synthesis

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Challenge

UVM Medical Center recognized it had a significant wayfinding issue. Visitors often found themselves lost, arriving at incorrect appointment locations, while staff members frequently had to spend time directing or escorting individuals to their destinations. Initially, the hospital began exploring technologies and apps as potential solutions. However, my astute colleague, Jeremy Beaudry, proposed a more extensive research initiative aimed at uncovering and articulating the fundamental wayfinding challenges we faced. Alongside Jeremy and myself, our core team for this phase included other members from Marketing & Communications, namely Karly Moore, Alex Elkaliouby, and Mike Maloney.

Our objective: to foster a comprehensive understanding of our institution's wayfinding challenges and lay the groundwork for proposed redesign efforts.

Process

Comprehensive Walk-throughs

Over several weeks, our team meticulously traversed every hallway within the main campus. We endeavored to adopt the perspective of individuals unfamiliar with the locale (which was straightforward, as we often navigated through uncharted areas ourselves). During these explorations, we aimed to observe and interpret the spatial cues that were available to us.

3 Key Principles Of Successful Wayfinding In Healthcare

According to Von Lehe, incorporating artwork can effectively serve multiple purposes, merging opportunities for donor engagement with positive distractions and wayfinding initiatives. A prime example is the Hubbard Center project, where HDR commissioned various bear sculptures—depicting young bears in playful poses. “They don’t just exist for aesthetic pleasure. They occupy strategic locations where we faced challenging navigational hurdles—we knew that mere signage wouldn’t suffice. The artwork becomes a wayfinding method: ‘Turn right at the bear,’” shares Von Lehe.

Initiating the wayfinding discussion as early as possible in the design process is crucial. Elizabeth Von Lehe, design director for HDR, highlights the Hubbard Center for Children project as an exemplary case. “Our team managed architecture, interior design, wayfinding, and the art program concurrently, resulting in a cohesive user experience, akin to a symphony rather than disjointed tracks played in isolation,” she reflects.

The redesigned entrance area for UC Health's UC Medical Center, crafted by GBBN, embodies the concept of ‘addition through subtraction’. It involved repositioning various elements—such as the gift shop, guest services, and even decor—to curate a tranquil environment for visitors, facilitating clearer navigation toward their next destinations.

Having a clearly defined arrival point serves as a critical component of effective wayfinding. UC Health's UC Medical Center previously lacked this, which GBBN addressed by implementing a new entry canopy that harmonizes with the hospital's architectural scale and reflects the essence of innovation in science and technology.

Color temperature also significantly influences intuitive wayfinding. Kevin A. Day, principal at HGA, notes, “Cooler hues help reduce hesitancy while navigating, while warmer shades mark memorable destinations.” For instance, in the parking garage for the Children’s National project, cooler tones guide visitors toward the atrium, where they encounter inviting reds complemented by warm wood accents, cementing the location in their memories—“This is where I need to return after my visit.”

The redesign of Children's National Hospital's arrival experience introduced a consistent design language, enhancing navigational ease with vibrant color accents, well-calibrated lighting for those with vision difficulties, and conscientious contrasts that help destinations stand out.

In Orlando, Florida, Nemours Children’s Health integrated physical signage with designated digital spaces outside patient rooms, displaying real-time patient conditions. “Clients express strong interest in future-oriented trends, encompassing digital wayfinding and interoperability with facility tech systems,” explains Phuong Nguyen, associate principal at Page.

Ultimately, achieving effective wayfinding in healthcare settings poses distinct challenges, driven by escalating patient anxiety and the diverse range of users. Understanding individual needs and preferences is imperative in designing a tailored, coherent wayfinding strategy. By emphasizing comprehensive planning, reducing visual clutter, and adopting intentional signage strategies, healthcare facilities can transform patient experiences into positive navigational journeys.

For more information, please visit Hospital Wayfinding Projects.