james czyz - thesis 1 - 03

James Czyz Thesis Fall 2012 James Czyz Thesis Fall 2012

James Czyz Thesis Fall 2012

ON DISPLAY IN MUSEUMS, AMUSEMENT PARKS, IN CORPORATE BUILDINGS, RESORTS, MOVIE THEATRES, BATHROOM SPACES AND EVEN CEMETERIES

OBSE

RVA

TION

Maps, grids, indicators, signs and any other typeof wayfinding devices allkeep us informed of thespace around us. Theykeep us moving wherewe need to go and eveninform us things we didnot know.


WHAT TRAINS ARE NEAR? WHICH WAY IS WEST? WHERE IS BROADWAY? WHAT NEIGHBORHOOD IS THIS? ARE THERE ANY PARKS NEARBY? A MALL?

PROB

LEM

With such a large city, the 4th most populated in the world, It can be quite challenging and even intimidating trying to navigate around all the towns and Boroughs of New York City.

Being so large, why is there not a clear and unifiednavigation system that walking pedestrians can rely on?

Are we forced to use train and bus maps?


PROB

LEM

DOES THIS REALLY HELP YOU FIND YOUR WAY?

THE DOWNTOWN FINANCIAL DISTRICT HAS A WAYFINDING SYSTEM, EVEN HERALD SQUARE?

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE REST OF NEW YORK CITY?


ASS

ESM

ENT

WHERA

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THE CHALLENGE

With 22 Million residents and 40 Million tourists a year, New York City is a major urban landscape that is always moving and changing. Hosting so many visitors unfamiliar with their new environment as well as residents adapting to using subway maps, it is no wonder why New York City never sleeps, we are all lost!

Surveys indicate:9% of New Yorkers and 27% of visitors admitted being lost 13% of New Yorkers weren’t familiar with the area they were in 27% of visitors couldn’t name the borough31% of all trips are made on foot

PROJECT BRIEF

By creating a clear, layered and comprehensive pedestrian way finding navigation system I plan to address an obvious problem that diminishes a New Yorkers way of life as well as any visitors stay within the five boroughs of New York City.


3 STAGES:

STAGE 1

Developing Strategy & Concepts– Existing signage review– Identification of key pedestrian routes and destinations– Analysis of public transport access– Concept designs– Solving issues like what and where to display

STAGE 2

Design Consultation, planning, initial development– Detailed map & signage design – Sign specifications– Directional signage– Installation guidelines

STAGE 3

Finalizing– Implementation – Manufacturing– Installation

PROC

ESS


PROT

OTYP

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– Crosswalks?– Curbside?– Sidewalks?– Train stations?– Trains?– Bus stops?– Buses?– Parks?– Taxi Cab?


By implementing a pedestrian wayfinding system in New York City many facets of life can be improved. Wayfinding and walkability go together and provide pedestrians with information and through signage the pedestrian environment becomes convenient, connected and comfortable. Less confusion and a greater comfort equal less stress and a much happier New Yorker along with other benefits such:– Less pollution in the air– Connecting Neighborhoods and Communities– Healthier lifestyle– Better understand of your environment– Greater knowledge of public spaces and parks

CON

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By using the system of boroughs, towns and districts – I am able to create and manage my workflow according to city zones. beginning with the borough of Manhattan as a model to work with.

MA

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NEI

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To create a clear sense of neighborhoods and communities for the pedestrian user, It is essential to display clear boundary lines.


MID

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Staying true to form and scale while working on the exact grid system of New York streets the pedestrian user will always have a valid perception of location and distance to a destination.


MID

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N E

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By starting in a centralized location and mapping out a specific zone and its neighboring districts, I am able to work out-wards and cover an area large enough to begin testing different systems of information.

James Czyz Thesis Fall 2012 M

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TYPE

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With a large section of Manhattan’s grid completed and having a true to scale base layer map, I am now able to explore different systems to layer information such as typography and a color system to follow.


TEST

AR

EASLocation Selections & Test Areas

With a large region of Manhattan mapped out, the next stage in my process can be initiated for visual display as well as working to create color and symbol systems.

Being inspired by the Visual and literary works of John Brinckerhoff Jackson. I have chosen and selected my test areas from his thoughts and ideas on how a visitor experiences and interacts within a new urban setting.

“The Strangers Path” Is a study on how a city navigates its visitors, all starting out from centralized major hubs of transportation and ending up different locations all based on desires of the visitor.

Without a wayfinding and navigational system for a city as large as New York, how can a visitor fully appreciate this large urban environment full of wonders.


UN

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SQU

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Location Selections & Test Areas

Working with the idea of“The Strangers Path”I have chosen my test areasto centrally follow Broadway. Planned out as the only street that crosses over and down Manhattan’s Grid, I feelit is the perfect idealism tosupport the path of visitorsas well as citizens of New York City.

For my first test model I amchoosing the Union Square area. Central to Broadway and14th Street, It is a large transportation hub with over 8different subway lines within the area.


THE

FUTU

REMapping

Continuing from Thesis1 to Thesis2, my goal is to complete mapping my base layer which yet includes Downtown, Upper East and West sides as well as Harlem. I am working at a scale of 200m to every .3” Google Maps Zoom level 13(1:2452.14850660 meters)

With the entire borough completed I can push my focus on the layers of importance to display to the public.These Include and are not limited to:– Subway Lines/Transportation Hubs– Museums & Art Galleries– Parks & Public Spaces– Schools & Libraries

Colors & SymbolsWith a completed base layer and a clear identification of layers of importance to display to the pedestrian user completed, My following objective would entail refining my color system as well as symbols and indicators.

james czyz - thesis 1 - 03

Documents

system buildjames czyz

new environment

boroughs of new york

rest of new york city

new yorkers way of life

large city

pedestrian wayfinding

happier new yorker