Orientation systems – an overview of good solutions

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Why good orientation is so important

Orientation systems help people find their way around unfamiliar places.

Because being able to orient oneself well is very important for personal well-being. The mere thought of getting “lost” or not finding the destination means distraction, bad mood, stress and uncertainty.
In other words, feelings that not only severely impact the visitor experience, but also safety.

Whether it’s an airport, shopping center, hotel or office building, well thought-out orientation systems are a must!

We reveal here what is important:

Orientation for all

Everyone needs good orientation! But nevertheless, people in old age, for example, have different requirements for orientation systems than younger people. In addition, there are many different types of visual impairment that also make good orientation difficult.

Orientation systems should therefore be as barrier-free as possible.
Why not make accessibility a benchmark right away? Then top orientation for all visitors is guaranteed!

Orientation with colors

The right color scheme helps people to recognize their surroundings. And to be able to move around safely. Even if their vision is poor.

Strong contrasts in brightness, for example, are extremely important. They help people to recognize doors, stairs, furniture and room dimensions. So it makes sense to get advice on standards for barrier-free color design and chic solutions.

Our tip: Brillux, which are considered experts in orientation with colors. And offer interested parties many great publications and even seminars. To the Brillux website

Room boundaries, doors and switches are easily recognizable. And it looks very stylish. Photo: @ Brillux

All that glitters is not gold

Sure, polished metal, shiny marble and sparkling glass fronts look very elegant and classy.
But for orientation, they are a challenge. Especially for people with visual impairments. Strong reflections dazzle and reduce the all-important contrasts.

Then there’s a need for good orientation systems:

• Glass doors receive high-contrast marking at eye levelby means of stickers, or similar.
• Use of matt and textured tiles for floors.
• Signs will be non-glare, with large lettering and good contrast.
• Adequate, glare-free lighting.

Stoneware from Agrob Buchtal: matte, textured tiles can look this classy. Photo: @Agrob Buchtal

Barrier-free orientation systems

Orientation systems always include guidance systems, i.e. – signs and directional arrows. Of course, these orientation aids must be mounted in the right places. And have good contrast and font size.

But for all people who cannot read them, these signs are useless. (Functional) illiterates, cognitively impaired, people with reading difficulties, blind and severely visually impaired people: For all of them, accessible orientation systems still need additional measures.

Some examples are:

• Tactile guidance system on the floor
• Doors without thresholds
• Handrails on both sides of corridors and stairs, if possible
• Tactile lettering, Braille or audio format on signs and handrails

Our tip: A lot of know-how about barrier-free orientation systems and quality “made in Germany” is available from the company Moedel.

Tactile audio format for innovative, barrier-free orientation systems: