Airport Wayfinding
_Analysis of wayfinding systems at airports
_Examples from the past and present
_Authors are proven experts
_Awarded the SEGD Award 2022
Airports are megalopolises where millions of people move and cultures collide. They are places whose identity is multifaceted: On the one hand, the history and design philosophy of each country are clearly visible, with local characteristics condensing almost cliché-like and reflecting a country's positioning in the global fabric. On the other hand, airports represent hypermodern, functional environments where processes are internationally standardized and maximally efficient, with a focus on entertainment and consumption.
People navigate through airports using a wayfinding system; the graphic language creates an image in the viewer's mind. It embodies the respective identity in a condensed form, through color, font, and pictograms. Deciphering this identity and tracing its emergence and transformation over the decades is the motivation of the authors, both industry experts. They examine and analyze the wayfinding systems of more than 100 airports from the perspective of information design, harmonizing identity and function.
