# Evaluation Topics: Wayfinding



![article 1: Creating Impactful Spatial Experiences ](https://1763729276-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LiPPFFn8713gkOyphHP%2F-LicRc51Gtn1yRecya1H%2F-LicUsdejpyCJ8N1bq_O%2FScreen%20Shot%202019-06-30%20at%2015.06.54.png?alt=media\&token=c35a23bf-5d92-4910-86ee-ba666338bba8)

[**article 1: Creating Impactful Spatial Experiences**](https://www.slideshare.net/FrostSydney/creating-impactful-spatial-experiences)&#x20;

**Wayfinding** is the _cognitive component of moving around in an environment_. It is a **decision making process** which needs clarity and metaphors can be useful. Wayfinding needs high level thinking, planning and decision-making related to user movement. It involves:

* _spatial understanding_ (see chapters about spatial dimensions).
* _planning tasks_, such as determining the current location within the environment, determining a path from the current location to a goal location and building a mental map of the environment.&#x20;

In virtual worlds, way finding can be crucial, an efficient travel technique needs to be combined with an overview of routing and knowing where to go.\
&#x20;<img src="https://1763729276-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LiPPFFn8713gkOyphHP%2F-LicRc51Gtn1yRecya1H%2F-LicTg1mjVvCrE7BleCs%2FScreen%20Shot%202019-06-30%20at%2014.58.44.png?alt=media&#x26;token=1832b04b-95a9-4bf0-a953-f2f2c67a569e" alt="" data-size="original"> <img src="https://1763729276-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LiPPFFn8713gkOyphHP%2F-LicRc51Gtn1yRecya1H%2F-LicTcvZUeh9BCY1ee4d%2FScreen%20Shot%202019-06-30%20at%2014.58.28.png?alt=media&#x26;token=151167b9-3b49-43d3-b3f1-064a4e58b882" alt="" data-size="original">&#x20;



## Wayfinding Cues

#### Environment-Centered&#x20;

{% embed url="https://vimeo.com/338651211" %}

* _**Environment legibility**_: think of paths (linear), edges (enclosing), districts (quickly identifiable), nodes (gathering points), landmarks (static objects).&#x20;
* _**Landmarks**_: for directional cues and local for decision-making by providing information.
* _**Maps**_: most common in daily life, but very complex to design for in virtual environments. Needn't necessarily be a spatial representation, but can also categorise and place hierarchical structure at its core. [Environmental clutter](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSl8446rIEJqZDpCMb_j0PgT89tVSey7klb5oUeQqKGgaSylJiwtA) vs [Neat & Empty](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRSViF2QzxKSGQhepjHujN_hYTdc2VV2t4yhaS4ZRVWcWopGrArrQ)
* _**Compasses**_: provide directional cues, great for implementation in maps.
* _**Signs**_&#x20;
* _**Trails**_: helps users to retrace their steps.
* _**Reference Objects**_**:**&#x77;ell-known objects like chairs and human figures to determine size in virtual reality.&#x20;

User-Controller-Centered

![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1P0iEg6PdUg/Vv6K6o7UBYI/AAAAAAAAACY/e3_MSgirCCY9mGEbpbyupQpyF2g2NyAlw/s1600/touch%2Bmapper.jpg)

There are several strategies that designers and developers can handle to support the challenges that the human perceptual system and VR-hardware will keep on facing.

* _**Field of View (FOV)**_**:** larger FOV (> 40-80 degrees) reduce head movement. Small FOV's lead to cyber sickness.
* _**Motion Cues**_**:** \
  \- the peripheral vision provides strong motion cues (direction, velocity, orientation during movement), \
  \- additional vestibular cues ([inertia](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYD8ZG3W31k) & balance, which usually are related to embodied self-motion cues) are necessary as well.
* _**Multi-sensory Output**_: \
  \- [Tactile maps](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1P0iEg6PdUg/Vv6K6o7UBYI/AAAAAAAAACY/e3_MSgirCCY9mGEbpbyupQpyF2g2NyAlw/s1600/touch%2Bmapper.jpg) (a map which contours are raised so they can be sensed by touch as well as sight.) Tactile cues can aid in the formation and usage of spatial memory. \
  \- Audio use can be used as well.\


