Category: Wayshowing

Project: Legible

What was the challenge? What was the effect? Alongside the on-street sign system, the The Legible London concept represents undertook a series of Legible London mapping standard designed the most comprehensive approach to qualitative and quantitative evaluations of by Applied has been adopted across implementing a wayfinding system in the system to ascertain if it was meeting Transport for London map applications, a global city. The project, conceived by its objectives to make London more legible, with Legible London maps featuring at all Applied in response to a study brief to help people move around the city easily stations, bus stops and cycle hire points. investigate ways in which walking could and give people the confidence to explore. be improved in Central London, has since The key findings of the report proved the Recent developments include digital developed into an on-street pedestrian immediate positive impact of the system. screens installed in bus shelters, as well as system with over 1,300 signs, a suite of online apps. printed walking maps, downloadable and Applied were commissioned as System digital maps, smartphone apps, integrated Designer for the second pilot phase with public transport information and has responsibility to oversee the work of created a walking identity for London. scheme designers delivering three schemes in Richmond, South Bank and Covent What was the solution? Garden. The role required drafting and Applied published the original Legible distributing over 30 documents setting out London Wayfinding Study. It set out a planning and design guidance to ensure vision for a common solution to wayfinding, consistency across the pilots. outlining the principles of a pedestrian signage system that encourages walking, The system was documented, to enable the takes into account the viewpoints of all client and wider project teams to update stakeholders, makes London easier to guidance and plan for a wider roll-out over understand for pedestrians, and ultimately a 4-year development program. The pilot delivers the benefits that increased phase included the implementation of walking brings. The Wayfinding Study led nearly 300 signs over the three pilot areas. to Applied’s commission to undertake a prototype project in London’s West End. The Since 2009, Applied has been prototype culminated in the installation of commissioned to deliver a number of information-rich monoliths and fingerposts further schemes comprising over 300 signs in pedestrian areas across in some of the most important tourist areas and Bond Street. This prototype was where of and Kensington & Chelsea. much of the key thinking was developed – placing signs, rationalizing place names Legible London now stretches over the and asset selection, the design of the capital, with over 1,300 signs spread mapping and signs, and the product design across almost all of London’s boroughs, and implementation on-street. The pilot development Applied oversaw. phase was conducted alongside thorough user testing and stakeholder engagement Recent surveys estimate the street signs programs carried out by the project team. are now viewed over 1 billion times every year, usage ranging from 1 an hour to Contact: over 300 an hour, and with nine out of ten name: Tim Fendley respondents keen to see more Legible company/organisation: Applied Wayfinding London signs introduced. e-mail: [email protected] website: appliedwayfinding.com Legible London is a comprehensive city-wide wayfinding system comprising of consistent and coherent information delivered across a suite of on-street signage, integrated public transport information, printed maps and digital applications.