Systems in the Wild

How people know where to go.

• Signage
• Maps
• Landmarks

Look for physical and digital directional cues. How people orient themselves and find destinations

How text organizes and prioritizes information

• Text hierarchy
• Labels
• Information design

Examine text organization, prioritization, readability. Especially size, weight, spacing, placement decisions of information architecture.

How color codes, zones, or emphasizes

• Color coding
• Zoning
• Emphasis

Examine consistency, cultural meaning, brand application. Look for emotional/atmospheric use of color.

How pictograms communicate without words

• Pictograms
• Universal symbols

This is visual language that transcends text. Look for cultural considerations and clarity.

How layout guides movement and behavior

• Layout
• Movement
• Pacing

Examine entry sequences, pacing, gathering points, transitions. Find evidence of crowd management and circulation patterns.

How lighting, sound, scent, or visuals shape mood

• Lighting
• Sound
• Scent

Determine if lighting changes based on the time of day. Examine music creates a specific mood. Also consider screens, projections, and motion graphics.

How people engage hands-on

• Digital
• Physical
• Participatory

Look for touchscreens, apps, QR codes, AR experiences. Physical interactions include buttons, levers, tactile elements, games. Some interactions are participatory like photo ops, maker stations, contribution walls

How the space tells a story or conveys a theme

• Theme
• Story arc
• Character

How the space serves diverse needs

• Physical
• Sensory
• Cognitive
• Language access

How people are kept safe and informed

• Exits
• Warning
• Security

Find emergency exits and evacuation routes and warning signage and advisory information. Content warnings (sensory experiences, strobe lights, intense themes) and fire safety, first aid locations are ways design helps keep people safe.

How queues, transactions, and services are managed

• Queues
• Transaction
• Services

Look for line organization, crowd control, capacity management. Also checkout, payment, ticketing processes. Self-service vs. staff-assisted systems.