Which way to the washroom?
The unmarked office is the ultimate status symbol. Or it could be the broom closet.
Developers of malls are mindful of the goal of making their property a desirable “destination.” Thus, restaurants and lifestyle outlets (salons, gyms, and kid zones) seem to occupy an increasing ratio of space allocation. In a mall that has a stretched-out space due to its previous footprint as a high school, one can easily get lost and tired of walking through unconnected buildings.
Next to clean (and free) toilets with available toilet paper, well-placed directional signs provide mall-goers information to guide him on his search without sending him off the wrong fork. Toll road signs for example alert the motorist early enough for him to change lanes and gently ease into the right one without being dinged by a daredevil motorcyclist.
The use of symbols as language-neutral signage is now widespread. The much sought after toilets don a stylized standing man and woman, the difference in gender usually expressed in pants and skirts — even if in real life the distinction in attire can be blurred. (But, let’s not go there.) These symbols of relief-seekers show them zipped up already, and done with their business.
This same symbol of man and woman when enclosed in a box denotes elevators. One can end up in the wrong place with this too similar representation of people moving up and down and people who want to stay still. Anyway, the two rooms are seldom near each other.
One mall, which is triangular in shape, easily leads people astray. Lacking directional encouragement, this tri-cornered labyrinth has shoppers and vagrants circling aimlessly, like lost souls in need of prayers. Because of its shape, this mall promotes walking as a form of exercise as the shopper often starts off and then ends in the same place. The signage-challenged building provides additional functions for security guards who, when asked for directions, may or may not know the location of a store which sells shoes that breathe. More enlightened mall
designers now employ
digital maps ( you are here and don’t look for a gigantic red arrow above you). A further improvement is the use of touch screens readable at eye level for the average Filipino
height to provide location and ongoing sales promotions in particular outlets. Even parking spaces now
flash the available number of slots to guide the driver on which level to take. Lights for the stall indicate where the free spaces are (green) for the faraway driver maneuvering towards available slots. Of course, parking rage cannot be avoided when cars jump the queue, while another car is waiting for the car backing out of the slot.
Traffic advisories offer a sophisticated form of signage. These strategically located signs provide information on traffic status, road conditions like repairs or accidents, and suggest alternate routes. There are also mobile apps for this which is hard to follow for someone driving by himself. The driver or her navigator is provided timely information to move through traffic. (All roads are clogged.)
Offices can make use of directional signs too. The visitor can get lost in the maze of the cubicle farm and has to rely on the receptionist to know where to find his soul mate for the day. (Kindly take a seat first, Sir and read three chapters of Brothers Karamazov as we check your supposed appointment with someone who may not even know your nickname.)
It is no longer fashionable to post a name on the door or place marble tombstones on desks designating name and profession. The unmarked office is the ultimate status symbol. Or it could be the broom closet.
Interior designers need to incorporate signage into their green architecture. Maybe,
they can take a page from the traffic advisories. Perhaps, the
mall of the future can go a step further and have a video screen tastefully placed by the escalator or elevator. Instead of showing three-year old ads for auction.
com or how to avoid baldness, one can air-swipe a parking ticket so that the screen can tell where one has parked the car. (You’re in the wrong level, Sir.) The truly forgetful simply take a photo of the number on the slot, before they leave the car.
Life can be improved with a few directional signs to go by. Anyway, as with all signs, there is no need to always follow the arrow… when all you want is the washroom. �