The Role of Research-Based User-Centred Signage Graphic Design in Improving the Effectiveness of the Wayfinding Signage System in Academic Settings for Partially Sighted Individuals

Wayfinding signage is one of the essential tools for wayfinding activities. However, the current wayfinding signage graphic design only seems to fulfil the needs of the most ‘abled’ population. Partially sighted individuals are left ‘out of the space’. Creating a better wayfinding signage graphic design to accommodate the needs of this group of users requires a better understanding of their needs and expectations for the design. Currently, there is a lack of knowledge about how sight loss affects individuals' signage graphic design needs, making it difficult to suggest a solution to address these issues.
This research investigates the role of research-based user-centred signage graphic design in improving the effectiveness of the wayfinding signage system in academic settings for partially sighted individuals by involving partially sighted participants in the design process. A series of research activities were carried out to identify a clear picture of partially sighted individuals’ needs for signage design in academic settings. An audit drew together the available design guidelines to define graphic design factors essential to signage design in academic settings. An online questionnaire investigated partially sighted individuals’ experiences and opinions of current signage graphic design in academic settings. Four online co-design workshops were conducted to visualise partially sighted individuals’ signage graphic design needs. A focus group was carried out to reflect on the developed design approach and the value of user-centred signage graphic design outcomes. The results show that there is a lack of comprehensive signage graphic design guidelines that reflect partially sighted individuals’ pain points, experiences, preferences, and cultural conventions, which are four factors identified to be important to signage graphic design for them. It was found that giving partially sighted individuals the autonomy to directly influence the design process and outcome facilitates participants’ creative contributions to design and leads to a better design outcome that reflects their design needs. This developed user-centred signage graphic design approach has shown great potential in improving the effectiveness of signage design in academic settings for partially sighted individuals. This thesis adds to our understanding of inclusive environmental graphic design, specifically signage graphic design. This thesis presents a theoretical methodology framework for co-designing wayfinding signage with partially sighted individuals, utilising the novel workshop co-design approach developed during research. This thesis offers useful insights into designing for the partially sighted and has generalizability value for designing for marginalised user groups.