Signs of the Times - February 2014 - (Page 70)

Health-Care Signage Trends Expect more electronic signage and smaller facilities. By Jennifer Kovacs Silvis J ennifer Kovacs Silvis is managing editor of Healthcare Design (www.hcdmagazine.com), a Cleveland-based trade magazine that also produces the annual Healthcare Design Conference (www.hcdconference.com) and Environments for Aging Conference (www.environmentsforaging.com/ conference). We noticed that Silvis recently wrote an article titled "Minding the Myths of Healthcare Wayfinding," so we wanted to get an outside observer's view of the current state of health-care signage. Silvis can be reached at jsilvis@vendomegrp.com. To read her full article, go to www. hcdmagazine.com/wayfindingmyths. In your experience, when a healthcare facility is initially designed, when is wayfinding signage typically addressed? While some projects take a multidisciplinary design approach that involves wayfinding experts in the initial design phase, more often than not, wayfinding signage is addressed toward the end of a project, along with artwork and other finishing touches. Some argue that the first approach, early integration of wayfinding into the design, is more effective in that it allows for a holistic program that creates cohesiveness in color, texture, lighting, graphics, art, etc., across a facility. Often, the goal is for the signage to be available when needed, but unnoticed when it isn't, which can be difficult to achieve when not planned as part of the overall design. Generally, which signage aspect would be deemed more important: placement, legibility or aesthetics? 70 SIGNS OF THE TIMES February 2014 apps, so visitors have a handheld map at their disposal, or they may even be shared with patients prior to their visit, so they can familiarize themselves with the building virtually, before they even arrive onsite. Digital signage is also being explored to communicate messaging, such as a hospital's daily menu or when a supportgroup session is being held. For any signage system to be effective, placement and legibility are critical. All patients, visitors and staff members - regardless of age, height, disability, condition, etc. - should be able to clearly read, understand and follow the signage presented. With that said, in terms of the overall design of a space, aesthetics play a role, too, in ensuring that the signage doesn't detract from the healing environment that's been created. I think our readers would say that, ideally, all three of those factors should be balanced when selecting and designing signage. To what extent has/is electronic, interactive signage becoming more prevalent? I'm seeing this more and more in health care, especially in terms of self-check-in kiosks. For example, patients walk into a medical office building, go to the kiosk to notify the office they're visiting that they've arrived, and instantly see a map of where they need to go within the building. These systems may also be accessible via mobile-phone On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, how much is healthcare construction (and, hence, the need for signage), increasing? Health-care construction is still pretty far off from the boom seen in the early 2000s, as access to capital remains tight, and administrators are uncertain about the effects of health-care reform. With that said, projects are still getting off the ground. While new construction may not be in the cards for many organizations, buildings will still need to be updated. With any major renovation will likely come the need for updated signage and wayfinding programs that not only mesh with a new aesthetic (and possibly new branding if there's been a recent merger/acquisition), but also to communicate any spatial reorganization of departments, offices, etc., or the addition of a new wing or tower. Secondly, we're seeing a big push from healthcare organizations to provide care in communities via outpatient and ambulatory care centers that will house everything from family practices to women's health to outpatient surgery. So expect smaller buildings within town centers, shopping plazas, etc., that will also require clear directional cues for all of those service lines. http://www.hcdmagazine.com http://www.hcdconference.com http://www.environmentsforaging.com/conference http://www.environmentsforaging.com/conference http://www.hcdmagazine.com/wayfinding-myths http://www.hcdmagazine.com/wayfinding-myths http://www.hcdmagazine.com/wayfinding-myths

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Signs of the Times - February 2014

Signs of the Times - February 2014
Contents
ST Update
Technology Update
Welcome to the 21st Century
Vinyl Apps
Strictly Electric
LED Update
Software Update
Technology Review: Cyrious online
Technology Review: Sign and Printmakers Guild
Sign Museum News
New Products
Walls of Fame
A Designer’s View of Health-care Signage
Health-care Signage: Care Required
Health-care Signage Trends
Estimating Software
Dynamic Digital Signage Made Simple, Part 2
Industry News
Advertising index
Editorially speaking

Signs of the Times - February 2014