These three maps in slightly different positions in Singapore’s Orchard MRT station are all orientated correctly according to the point of view of the user. (With apologies for the skewed perspective of my photos)
In each case, if an exit was, say, behind you on the map, it was behind you in the actual station.
The first two maps were on opposite sides of the same information panel (i.e. facing in opposite directions), the third in a different part of the station.
Note:
- The compass orientation, top right;
- The well labelled exits, buildings and streets;
- The indicative “10 minute walk” circle.
It’s as if someone is deliberately trying to help you get where you are going.
Even at this fine-grained level, design matters.
It’s just a shame it was so easy to get lost where the station merged seamlessly into a shopping mall.
More links below.
See also:
Design Singapore: Changi airport (1)
Design Matters (15): Bucket Bath Edition (Kiramas 0318 vs Trixy GN311)
Design matters (14): stackable 6 litre water bottle by Singha
Design Matters (13): Dark Patterns
Design Matters (12): IKEA Detergent Bottle
Design Matters (11): PowerPoint Wizardry
Design Matters (10): Your iPhone Moment
Design Matters (9): Bruce Tognazzini’s First Principles of Interaction Design [Radio Edit]
Design Matters (8): Where’s that file?
Design matters (7): Death by PowerPoint
Design matters (6): Bosch hand-blender attachment
Design Matters (5): the information architecture of a water dispenser
Design Matters (4): a recipe for trouble
Design Matters (3): Ingenious board game tile holder and embodied memory
Design Matters (2): badly designed Android Bluetooth menu
Design matters: refrigerator control dial
A well designed paper bag from Waitrose
Postbox: good info