The Approach to Signage System Design for Hospital Healthcare Services

Abstract

The objective of this research is to search for the appropriate approaches and directions to design environmental graphics (EGD), signage system, for healthcare services in hospital settings. The investigation covers on-site observation of the use of communication design media and applications, focusing on EGD systems in healthcare service areas, such as out-patient departments in a large public hospital in Thailand to depict and identify audiences’ pain point and design challenge for EGD usage. Questionnaires and in-depth interviews are also distributed and arranged during the investigation along with the review of best practice projects, case studies, related researches and material for analysis. This study is part of the Doctor of Fine and Applied Arts program dissertation for the topic: Designing Graphics for Medical Services of University Hospital: Case Study Siriraj Hospital. 

The investigation result shows three main design criteria in the areas of 1.) Form and Usage, 2.) Design Elements, and 3.) Interactive Multimedia. The result also identifies six key design practices for healthcare EGD including 1.) Brand story identification and implementation, 2.) Hospital and surrounding community integration, 3.) Positive experiences creation, 4.) Flexibility and sustainability design approach, 5.) User-centric on patient focused, and 6.) Advanced technology with interactive experience usage. The integration of found criteria and key point practices lead to the design guideline for healthcare EGD diagram.