New year, new signage. Making campus easier to navigate

Hate change? You're not alone! Changes to familiar spaces can feel annoying, confusing or just unnecessary, especially when you already know where you are going. But sometimes change really is for the better. That is exactly what the King’s Wayfinding Strategy Project is aiming to prove.

If you have ever been late to a seminar because a sign sent you down the wrong corridor, or stood in a lobby wondering if you were even in the right building, this project is for you.

I'm Saswat, an MSc Clinical Psychotherapy student, and I recently spoke with Megan Whittaker, Strategy Project Manager for the Wayfinding Strategy Project, to find out why signage across King’s is changing, what has already been updated and what you can expect next. You can already see the first phase of the new system in action in the King’s Building on Strand Campus.

Read on for a summary of our conversation.

If you have ever felt that signage looks different depending on where you are on campus, that's because it does.

Megan explains that, over time, King’s campuses grew and signage grew with them. Different buildings adopted different styles, naming conventions and visual languages. The result was a patchwork system that could be confusing, especially if you were new or in a hurry.

The goal now is simple. Wherever you are, the signs should work in the same way and make sense immediately.

This is about reducing stress and cognitive load. When your rooms change frequently or you are navigating an unfamiliar space, you shouldn't have to think twice about where to go. The new system is designed to help you move quickly and confidently through campus.

The King’s Building is the first to receive the new wayfinding system, acting as a pilot for future rollouts.

The focus here is on helping you orient yourself as soon as you walk in. Clear sightlines, strong contrast and simplicity were prioritised so you can take in information at a glance rather than stopping to decode it.

You will notice:

• higher contrast signage that is easier to read
• clearer typography and improved spacing
• simpler corridor directions
• building directories placed at natural pause points such as entrances, lifts and lobbies

Rather than overwhelming you with detail everywhere, information is layered. Quick directions support fast movement, while more detailed information is available when you need to stop and look.

Accessibility wasn't treated as an afterthought. It was built into the project from the very beginning.

Megan explains that the team worked with external wayfinding specialists who have experience in complex environments like hospitals. Every detail mattered, from font choice and icon style to contrast levels and logical routing.

As you move through the building, you will see clearer marking of step free routes, lifts and accessible toilets. Sign height, placement and visual clarity follow accessibility standards to support as many users as possible.

Future phases may include tactile elements and expanded braille integration. These options are actively being explored as the project develops.

The best way to experience the new system is to walk through the King’s Building and pay attention to how easily you can orient yourself. Notice how information appears when you need it, without demanding your attention.

As Megan puts it, the goal is to remove friction. If you walk through a building and barely notice the signage because it works, then the system is doing its job.

More buildings across Strand Campus will receive updated signage over winter and in Semester 2. From there, the strategy will continue rolling out across King’s campuses in the coming years.

The long term aim is consistency. Once you understand the signage in one building, you should understand it everywhere.

The team is also looking ahead to digital extensions, such as indoor navigation and live mapping, potentially developed in collaboration with student led projects. Physical signage comes first, with digital tools building on that foundation.