E.G. DESIGN
USER EXPERIENCE
InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop
This project breaks down my experience using mass transit in Tokyo to better understand the impact of design decisions and features in wayfinding systems, and looks to find or apply those principles to the Link Light Rail.
U District Station sign.
Entrance orientation signs and line maps.
Exit sign and directional sign to lines.
Platform identification signs and line maps.
Directional exit signs on platform.
The Lines
Tokyo Metro line designations are built for accessibility. Redundant coding—a name, a single-letter abbreviation, and unique color—provide multiple methods for information retention and association based on user needs. The numbering of stops across each line individually keeps navigation along lines simple.
Changing Link line names from numbers to names with a letter code helps distinguish them from the station numbers.
Markers for stops with transfers between Link lines are also turned on their side and intertwined providing additional visual cues.
Lines 1 and 2 share platforms and stop numbers. A rider may see the correct progression of stop and station names, yet be on the wrong train and find themselves in Redmond instead of SeaTac Airport. To minimize this risk, line progressions were inverted, eliminating long overlaps in shared stop numbers.
Inverting line directions helps riders confirm they are headed the right direction, even when different lines share platforms.
Current station listing with lines 1 & 2 starting at station #40 and sharing station numbers.
Section of full service map highlighting Seattle downtown stations and inversion of station numbers from Capitol Hill upward.
Link sees the potential to continue expanding beyond current plans (into 2044), so lines were numbered from “stop 50” in a central location (Westlake) and expanded in either direction. To reinforce the ends of a line when none are “stop 01”, the terminus stations icons are filled black.
Existing Real-Time Arrival signage listing a single line traveling in two directions intermittently.
Arrivals listed by line then direction, and terminal station names are shown with stop numbers for quicker processing.
Real-time Arrival display arranged by line and direction to make referencing faster and easier.
Line Maps
System maps for Tokyo Metro show all lines interacting, while individual line maps denote the current station, a list of all its stops, and which stops connect to other lines.
Corresponding line maps with additional details (terminal stations enlarged and stations not being served grayed out) are placed along the platforms. Riders can see where they are, where they want to go, and confirm they are on the correct platform and line to take them there.
First-time visitors to the region may have difficulty with line maps because there is no station named “Seattle”. Travelers arriving through the airport have interpreted “Federal Way Downtown” as a street in downtown Seattle. For that reason, redundant call-out sections have been included on all individual and system-wide line maps.
Signage System
An expanded system of arrows are used in the Tokyo Metro to indicate movements beyond simply going straight, left, or right. Inspired by this, a variety of wayfinding icons were built to include compound movements and moving between levels in a station without straying far from internationally recognized symbols.
Compound movements help navigate around structures, reducing the need for immediate follow-up signs.
Existing Icons. Top: point of interest, Orca kiosk, bike parking. Middle: streetcar, monorail, ferry. Bottom: bus, airport, train.
Direct Movements: left, ahead, behind, right.
Compound Movements: left then first left, around the corner to your left, around the corner to your right, right then first right.
Tokyo Metro arrow icons, including going around a corner
Level Movements: ascend and descend a level
Identification Arrows: on your left, here, on your right
Exits: exit, accessible exit
A modular system using a variety of set widths and spacers was developed for building directional and identification signs.
These signs are hanging from above for maximum visibility and made from aluminum for durability.
Wayfinding and Signage
How Tokyo Metro organizes and provides information to riders is key to accessibility. Yellow and dark blue background colors separate wayfinding categories and can help Link stations become easier to navigate.
Tokyo directional signage visually separating exit directions from lines.
Existing exit directional sign.
Existing identification sign.
Existing orientation signs located at Link station entrance.
Station Guides | Yellow
Orientation, directional, and identification signage provide information related to finding services, amenities, and exits to the station. They are easily spotted by their bright yellow backgrounds. Populated with directories, maps, and connecting services, orientation signs are placed at entrances, corridors, and platforms providing detailed information about the station and its surroundings.
Tokyo orientation sign with points of interest and area map.
Link orientation signs even include multi-modal transit maps and connections, but the existing system is organized by exit, which assumes the rider knows which exit they want before finding their intended destination. A simple improvement would be listing all amenities, points of interest, and bus connections categorically, and notating exits to each.
A shift in information organization from listing by exits to by categories for quicker reference
Station entrance orientation information hub. Displays lines serviced by the station, nearby points of interest, and full service map.
Orientation panels listing points of interest and bus connections by categories to make finding correct exits easier.
Station directional signs take over once the intended exit or location has been identified. They simply show exit codes and arrows, so riders need only focus on one piece of information to reach their destination.
Identification signs mark exits and entrances, and notify riders when they arrive at a destination. When placed at common decision points, I added more disclosure information, allowing riders to make a final choice before walking away from the transit station.
Existing exit sign on platform.
Yellow directional signs navigate you through stations to exits and amenities, including accessible access points.
Directional signage on platform directing disembarking passengers to the exits.
Directional signage on showing available exits.
Identification sign at station exit, including details for inteded destination.
Line Guides | Dark Blue
Similar to Station Guides, Line Guides use directional, orientation, and identification signage to provide information related to finding the platform and rail for a given line. The blue backgrounds make them easily distinguishable from Station Guides. Overhead directional signs direct riders to platforms, while orientation signs provide line maps. Identification signs overhead and on walls also help riders confirm they are on the correct platform and heading in their intended direction.
Entering a Link platform, overhead directional signs list the terminal stop for each rail, but because there are no easily identifiable line starts (no “stop 01”), the addition of the current station numbers allow riders to easily recognize their intended line direction.
Including current stop numbers provides a crucial point of reference.
Tokyo Metro overhead identification signage designating line and direction served by platform.
Existing identification signage as you descend to platform.
Providing the current station number alongside the line terminal helps riders quickly identify ascending or descending lines.
In spite of being a complex transit system with more than ten lines and connecting to non-regional trains, the Tokyo Metro is easy to navigate. Wayfinding is simple, clear, and intuitive, creating an accessible experience for locals and foreigners alike.
Link Light Rail has many great features. As it grows, it will benefit from continuing to improve its wayfinding system to meet the needs of its growing ridership. Why not take a few lessons from the largest metropolitan area in the world?
Station identification sign on left is promimently visible to passengers on rail car when train arrives.
