Bridging perceptual gaps: designers vs. non-designers in urban wayfinding signage preferences
As urban environments become increasingly complex and the costs and challenges of infrastructure upgrades continue to rise, wayfinding signage has become an effective solution to cope with urban dynamics due to its low cost and high flexibility. Although the functionality of wayfinding signage has b...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
2024
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| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/114804/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/114804/1/114804.pdf |
| _version_ | 1848866600171601920 |
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| author | Zhou, Jialu Ujang, Norsidah Abd Manan, Mohd Shahrudin Abdul Aziz, Faziawati |
| author_facet | Zhou, Jialu Ujang, Norsidah Abd Manan, Mohd Shahrudin Abdul Aziz, Faziawati |
| author_sort | Zhou, Jialu |
| building | UPM Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | As urban environments become increasingly complex and the costs and challenges of infrastructure upgrades continue to rise, wayfinding signage has become an effective solution to cope with urban dynamics due to its low cost and high flexibility. Although the functionality of wayfinding signage has been extensively studied, the perceptual differences between designers and non-designers have not been adequately explored. Ignoring these differences may lead to the overlooking of users’ real and diverse needs, resulting in suboptimal signage performance in practical applications and ultimately a reduction in the overall functionality and user experience of urban spaces. This study aims to bridge this perceptual gap. For this study, we conducted a questionnaire survey in China to compare the visual preferences of designers and non-designers regarding text, shape, color coding, and patterns. The results indicate that designers prioritize functionality and clarity to ensure the effective use of signage in complex urban environments, whereas non-designers prefer wayfinding signages that reflect local cultural symbols and characteristics. Our conclusions suggest that the public’s expectations for wayfinding signage extend beyond basic navigational functions, with an emphasis on cultural expression and visual appeal. Understanding these perceptual differences is crucial in developing design strategies that balance functionality, esthetics, and sustainability, thereby facilitating the sustainable integration of signage into urban landscapes. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-15T14:23:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | upm-114804 |
| institution | Universiti Putra Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-15T14:23:10Z |
| publishDate | 2024 |
| publisher | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | upm-1148042025-02-03T01:02:34Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/114804/ Bridging perceptual gaps: designers vs. non-designers in urban wayfinding signage preferences Zhou, Jialu Ujang, Norsidah Abd Manan, Mohd Shahrudin Abdul Aziz, Faziawati As urban environments become increasingly complex and the costs and challenges of infrastructure upgrades continue to rise, wayfinding signage has become an effective solution to cope with urban dynamics due to its low cost and high flexibility. Although the functionality of wayfinding signage has been extensively studied, the perceptual differences between designers and non-designers have not been adequately explored. Ignoring these differences may lead to the overlooking of users’ real and diverse needs, resulting in suboptimal signage performance in practical applications and ultimately a reduction in the overall functionality and user experience of urban spaces. This study aims to bridge this perceptual gap. For this study, we conducted a questionnaire survey in China to compare the visual preferences of designers and non-designers regarding text, shape, color coding, and patterns. The results indicate that designers prioritize functionality and clarity to ensure the effective use of signage in complex urban environments, whereas non-designers prefer wayfinding signages that reflect local cultural symbols and characteristics. Our conclusions suggest that the public’s expectations for wayfinding signage extend beyond basic navigational functions, with an emphasis on cultural expression and visual appeal. Understanding these perceptual differences is crucial in developing design strategies that balance functionality, esthetics, and sustainability, thereby facilitating the sustainable integration of signage into urban landscapes. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) 2024-11-06 Article PeerReviewed text en cc_by_4 http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/114804/1/114804.pdf Zhou, Jialu and Ujang, Norsidah and Abd Manan, Mohd Shahrudin and Abdul Aziz, Faziawati (2024) Bridging perceptual gaps: designers vs. non-designers in urban wayfinding signage preferences. Sustainability (Switzerland), 16 (22). art. no. 9653. ISSN 2071-1050; eISSN: 2071-1050 https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/22/9653 10.3390/su16229653 |
| spellingShingle | Zhou, Jialu Ujang, Norsidah Abd Manan, Mohd Shahrudin Abdul Aziz, Faziawati Bridging perceptual gaps: designers vs. non-designers in urban wayfinding signage preferences |
| title | Bridging perceptual gaps: designers vs. non-designers in urban wayfinding signage preferences |
| title_full | Bridging perceptual gaps: designers vs. non-designers in urban wayfinding signage preferences |
| title_fullStr | Bridging perceptual gaps: designers vs. non-designers in urban wayfinding signage preferences |
| title_full_unstemmed | Bridging perceptual gaps: designers vs. non-designers in urban wayfinding signage preferences |
| title_short | Bridging perceptual gaps: designers vs. non-designers in urban wayfinding signage preferences |
| title_sort | bridging perceptual gaps: designers vs. non-designers in urban wayfinding signage preferences |
| url | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/114804/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/114804/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/114804/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/114804/1/114804.pdf |