Get to Where You Need To Go: Why Your School Needs Campus Wayfinding Signage | youRhere.ca

School campus wayfinding signage:

Wayfinding is an important aspect of property management for all industries, including the educational sector. With the nature of school campuses being crowded, busy places, implementing methods to ensure visitors, potential and current students, and staff can safely find their way around is crucial.  

A well-thought-out wayfinding strategy provides school administrators with a way to keep visitors informed on their whereabouts, while communicating important news about current events, and safety practices. Seventy-three per cent of educational institutions deem digital signage to be crucial for the future of communication, cementing their place in the educational sector.  

Below, we explore the advantages utilizing effective wayfinding signage brings to college, university, or high school campuses and how it can create a more inviting and navigable environment for everyone. 

What is wayfinding? 

Wayfinding helps to guide people in a physical environment, increasing their understanding of the space while improving their experience. On school campuses, this helps to reduce the stress that often comes with navigating complex built environments, contributing to a sense of well-being, safety, and security. 

This form of navigational signage encourages a more confident self-orientation as students, staff, and guests manoeuvre the campus safely while familiarizing themselves with the environment.  

How wayfinding enhances the campus experience  

A comprehensive campus wayfinding system helps new and prospective students easily locate campus destinations, creating a less stressful and more enjoyable initial experience. It can be employed to: 
 

  • Promote inclusivity with directional signs and advantageously placed exterior signs guiding individuals with mobility challenges or visual impairments more efficiently throughout the campus. 
  • Foster a greater sense of safety and security on school sites with illuminating wayfinding signage to help guests locate safe pathways, parking lots, and buildings at all hours or during emergencies. 

Implementing an effective wayfinding strategy 


Establishing an effective management strategy with wayfinding requires careful planning and consideration of the various elements involved. Collaborating with facility managers, students, faculty, and staff helps to identify areas of needed improvement and discover potential solutions.  

For wayfinding signage to maintain its effectiveness and efficiency, it’s important to ensure these systems can easily adapt to changes on campus i.e., construction projects, new buildings, and campus expansions. Incorporating these practices creates a more enjoyable experience for the campus community while also improving safety and security. 

Creating a sense of community with wayfinding 
 

Wayfinding signage can create an engaging, welcoming environment that supports a sense of belonging and community on campus. Consistent and easily navigable wayfinding signage helps to create a unified campus identity that encourages students and visitors to explore all the school has to offer, from events to various facilities. 

These digital signage mediums have great influence in establishing a memorable experience for everyone that enters. With various ways to get creative and make the signage interactive, university administrators can develop a campus landscape that is instantly recognizable. This can be especially helpful for those new to the area or campus, providing an anchor point to identify their location. 

Wayfinding is the way 

A well-designed wayfinding sign and system is a great way to foster positive college experiences that benefit students, faculty, staff, and visitors alike. With these navigational and informative systems, colleges and universities can build a more welcoming and inclusive environment that helps everyone to feel united within the academic community.  

How youRhere.ca is Advancing the Retail Shopping Experience with Wayfinding

Advancing the retail shopping experience with wayfinding

In response to the growing popularity of the online shopping experience, shopping malls have had to adapt to stay relevant. Among many public places, retail malls and centres are evolving to become an immersive experience as the market continues to show strength and signs of a rebound in foot traffic

Given the expansive and constantly changing landscape of shopping centres, the visitor experience is of utmost importance. Wayfinding signage has emerged as a key innovation transforming the operations of malls with a focus on improving the user experience for shoppers.

These interactive displays not only serve as a modern replacement for traditional mall directories but also offer numerous benefits that enhance the overall shopping experience.

A breakdown of retail wayfinding

Wayfinding signage refers to a set of signs and visual aids designed to assist individuals in navigating a physical environment, whether it be a building, campus, or urban area. In this case, retail wayfinding refers to the utilization of technology-based solutions aimed at providing guidance to both employees and customers within expansive environments such as shopping malls. With the usage of digital maps, interactive signage, and navigation systems, guests are provided with accurate directions to reduce confusion and enhance overall navigation efficiency.

Benefits of wayfinding signage

  • Improved customer experience

One of the primary benefits of wayfinding digital signage is its ability to enhance the overall customer experience within shopping malls. Customers can easily locate stores, services, restrooms, and other amenities with intuitive touchscreen interfaces. This convenience reduces frustration and stress associated with getting lost in a large mall, ultimately making shopping more enjoyable.

  • Real-time updates

Traditional paper directories are quickly becoming outdated, leaving customers searching for stores that have moved or closed. Wayfinding digital signage offers real-time updates, allowing mall management to easily modify information and maps, ensuring customers always have access to accurate and up-to-date information.

  • Increased customer engagement

Digital wayfinding signs offer more than just basic navigation. They can include interactive features like promotional videos, advertisements, and special offers. This increased engagement can captivate shoppers’ attention and encourage them to explore new stores or take advantage of exclusive deals, thereby boosting sales for tenants and increasing foot traffic within the mall.

  • Enhanced accessibility

Shopping malls should be accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. Wayfinding digital signage can incorporate accessibility features, such as voice commands and adjustable font sizes, to ensure that all customers can navigate the mall independently. This inclusivity helps create a more welcoming and accommodating environment.

  • Marketing opportunities

Wayfinding digital signage can serve as a powerful marketing tool for both mall management and individual retailers. Mall management can promote mall-wide events, seasonal sales, and other activities through the signage system, while individual stores can showcase their products and promotions. This integrated approach boosts marketing efforts and drives more foot traffic, bringing a 32.8% growth in repeat buyers.

  • Data collection and analytics

Digital wayfinding signs can collect valuable data on customer behaviour and preferences. Mall management can analyze this data to gain insights into traffic patterns, popular shopping times, and customer preferences. These insights can inform decisions related to tenant placement, marketing strategies, and overall mall operations.

Evolving with the times

In an increasingly digital world, shopping malls must embrace technology to remain competitive and provide a superior shopping experience. Effective wayfinding signage is an important aspect of creating an efficient and enjoyable environment for customers and employees. Shopping malls that invest in wayfinding digital signage are not only keeping pace with the times but are also ensuring a brighter and more profitable future in the retail industry.