Navigation+of+Information+Space

Introduction
Designers need to improve the usability of a space, to make it easy to use for people to find their way around the space. It is an important activity that people carry out. There are different activities, purposes and meanings that people carry out and bring to the space.

3 Activities that people undertake in a space:

 * **Object Identification –** The understanding and classifying the objects in an environment.
 * This includes: finding categories spread across the environment, configuration of objects, and information about objects
 * **Wayfinding** – Orientating oneself in the environment, choosing routes
 * eg. to "shut down" the computer (Start menu -> Turn off the Computer -> Turn Off)
 * **Exploration** – The retrieving information about an existing environment and how it relates to other environments

Practical
The navigation design is for people to understand the space based on the cognitive map: > >> > >>
 * **Landmark knowledge** – Clear landmark, such as the style, helps the user to find their way. It is developed by acquiring information from unique feature at a fixed location. This allows people to recognize objects because of the distinct and personal meaning.
 * eg. **B** **//I//** **__//U//__** [Bold, Italic, Underline] - It shows what the function does and the options are recognizable and grouped together for the user.
 * **Route knowledge** – This is the sequence of location, like a route. The user can travel along a route without relying on landmarks.This is used by familiarizing with the surrounding. The problem is, once the user is lost, it is hard to go back on track.
 * eg. finding your way to the main office at any school.
 * **Survey knowledge** – This is the highest level. It is built from personal experience. When an individual knows the surrounding, they are able to find different routes.
 * eg. instead of clicking between "windows" on the task bar of the computer, they can choose to use the "alt+tab" to change the window.

Non-Practical
Not only does the space have to be useful, but it should be **enjoyable**, **engaging** and **involving**.

Edmund Bacon suggested that any experience we have of space depends on:
 * **The form** – The impact of shape, colour, location and other properties on the environment
 * **The features that infuse the character**
 * **Relationship between space and time –** each experience is based partially those preceding it
 * **Involvement**

The form, features that infuse the character, relationship between space and time, and involvement have an impact on navigation.


 * Why?**

Would people keep participating in an environment if it's boring, intimidating, or confusing?

The design should encourage people to recognize and recall an environment.

Signage
Signs help people get to their desired destination, and provide alternative options. There are three types of signs that designers use:
 * Informational sign – Providing information on objects, people and activities. This is used to aid object identification.
 * Directional signs – Providing route and survey knowledge.
 * Warning and reassurance signs – Providing information on actions within the environment

Maps and Guides
Maps and guides provide navigational information. It is used to assist people to exploring, understanding and finding their way.



Social navigation
People tend to ask other people, even though there are good signage and maps, because the information provided is more personalized and suited to the individual’s need. The information could change how the individual approaches and provide other options that the individual would not have been aware of. The information provided by the other individuals are personalized and they filter the information.

Benyon, David. “Navigating Information Space: Web site design and lessons” //PsychNology Journal// 4 (2006): 7-24. 1 December 2006. <[|http://www.psychnology.org/File/PNJ4(1)/PSYCHNOLOGY_JOURNAL_4_1_BENYON.pdf]>
 * Biblography:**

Benyon, David and Phil Turner, and Susan Turner. "Designing Interactive Systems (People, Activities, Contexts, Technologies)". 2005. Spain. Pearson Education Limited.

Chen, Chaomei. "Information Visualization: Beyond the Horizon" 2004. Springer.

Satalich, Glenna A. "Navigation and Wayfinding in Virtual Reality: Finding Proper Tools and Cues to Enhance Navigation Awareness" //Human Interface Technology Laboratory.// 8 December 2006. 

Werner, Steffen and Krieg-Bruckner, Bernd and Mallot, Hanspeter A. and Schweizer, Karin & Freksa, Christian. "Spatial Cognition: The Role of Landmark, Route, and Survey Knowledge in Human and Robot Navigation". 1997. //Informatik '97//. 

Images: "Boring." Online image. __Otaku, Cedric's Weblog.__ 8 December 2006. <[|http://beust.com/weblog/]> "Map." Online image. __University of Toronto at Mississauga__. 1 December 2006.  "Signage." Online image. __Signworks__. 1 December 2006.