Environmental Graphic Design: Communicating Narratives
“Knowledge is power.”
-Sir Francis Bacon, 1597
Communication is a medium of exchange—verbal, two-dimensional, or three-dimensional exchange of thoughts, ideas, messages, and information. Caught between space and humans, architecture is a mode of communication. There has been an ongoing conversion between space and humans since the history of mankind by expressing themselves by inscribing and marking on cave walls. Since then, expressing oneself through collective stories and shelters has been intertwined offering both function and inspiration. In the complexity of human understanding and need, environmental graphic design and architecture bridge the gap by humanizing and simplifying the built environment.
Engaging And Building Self-Confidence
Conveying information, which enables the users to have self-confidence and strength around the built environment leads to power. Environmental graphic design concerns itself with the multidisciplinary field of design to engage and enhance user experience. An engaging user experience involves the successful implantation of graphical elements in built architecture, art, lighting, overall landscape, and building narrative. Communicating information by making design culturally sensitive and diversity-inclusive has found a way for environmental graphic designers, especially in the current times.
Traditionally, graphic designers constricted themselves to two-dimensional applied art and function, whereas architecture focused on three-dimensional form and landscape. While the graphic elements in architecture date back to the typography used in Roman Structures, a typeface named ‘Capitalis Monumental’, in today’s world graphic elements play a vital role not just as part of the visual heritage, but also in identity building, wayfinding, memorials, exhibit design, attraction, and persuasion.
Talking About Way-Finding Experience
Conveying information, which enables the users to have self-confidence and strength around the built environment leads to power. Environmental graphic design concerns itself with the multidisciplinary field of design to engage and enhance user experience. An engaging user experience involves the successful implantation of graphical elements in built architecture, art, lighting, overall landscape, and building narrative. Communicating information by making design culturally sensitive and diversity-inclusive has found a way for environmental graphic designers, especially in the current times.
Traditionally, graphic designers constricted themselves to two-dimensional applied art and function, whereas architecture focused on three-dimensional form and landscape. While the graphic elements in architecture date back to the typography used in Roman Structures, a typeface named ‘Capitalis Monumental’, in today’s world graphic elements play a vital role not just as part of the visual heritage, but also in identity building, wayfinding, memorials, exhibit design, attraction, and persuasion.
Aesthetically Pleasing
As the subjective aesthetic appeal is, what unifies various interpretations of design is an understanding and agreement that aesthetic experience is prized very highly and is of fundamental value to human beings. Environmental graphic design does not limit itself to an instructional system but embraces cultural identity. Humans are naturally attracted to visual appeal, and environment graphic design enhances existing landscapes and encourages community engagement. In urban cities, people have lost touch with nature, and biophilic design is increasingly gaining prominence in environmental graphic design. It soothes our eyes and induces a sense of calmness within.
Creating User Experience
Environmental graphic design optimizes relation people and buildings with a solution-based approach. It aims at building symbolic relations to match the synergies with the space. A cohesive seamless atmosphere involves an in-depth understanding of the user perspective and movement around the space and contributes to a positive experience by reducing confusion and frustration. Brand experience in public spaces and corporate scenarios evokes loyalty amongst the users and makes them culturally involved with the space. A good user experience will leave a lasting positive impression of the space. Cultural relevance and a sustainably forward environment graphic system will define the future of user engagement in the current landscape with intact technology.
Conclusion
While environmental graphic design continues to evolve as a design discipline, keeping up with ever-changing technology and keeping aesthetic appeal intact with functionality is still a complex challenge. Architecture which is considered a serious discipline has started taking user interaction into account and is increasingly joining hands with environmental graphic designers to tap limitless possibilities. With each passing day, technology is now not just restricted to walls or palms, it is now part and parcel of every activity we do. Such fast-pacing advancements will not only further enhance user experience and engagement in a project but the architects will have to meet regulatory requirements for now and take into account future development. This transformation will only be possible when users can consciously and subconsciously communicate with their physical surroundings.
Environmental graphic elements are everywhere, from the navigation signages to informational displays at exhibits, everywhere interaction with physical landscape is required. From architect studios making brand identity and making themselves out to the public to space overhauls with unique color, typography, pattern, and motion in design, it all starts with making the place into the user’s mind.
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