MTA SIGNAGE SYSTEM

Challenge

Develop a prototype for a sustainable product or service, and a corporate social responsibility marketing campaign for a local New York brand or entity of your choice.

Timeline

September 2019 - December 2019

Questions

Despite the obvious diversity of NYC, all of its subway signs are in English only. How might we make navigating the subway friendlier for immigrants and travelers?

Outcome

An improved navigation system incorporating additional icons, physical guide lines on the walls/floors, maps with additional details, and physical directional posts outside the subway entrances and exits.

RESEARCH

  • Survey results from 40 different participants

  • Interviews with nine people who identified as immigrants, travelers, or international students

  • Desk research on history of MTA signage and system, and different unofficial ways that the subway has been represented in art in the past

RESULTS

  • 87% of participants use a navigation app to find directions

  • 86% of participants believe that integrating other languages would improve the riding experience

  • 68% of participants find the subway signage to be confusing

  • 28% of participants use a navigation app to identify their current station

PROPOSITION

A visual approach to allow users to rely less on language and navigational apps to move in and out of the system.