Identifying Environmental Elements and Attributes that Contribute to Indoor Wayfinding: An Exploratory Study Utilizing Think-Aloud Protocol

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the elements of the interior environment and their attributes that contribute to interior wayfinding. While the majority of the literature on wayfinding has examined specific causal relationships, few studies have systematically investigated the wayfinding process of users to uncover several environmental elements and attributes that may influence wayfinding, particularly from a qualitative approach. Thus, an exploratory research design comprising qualitative methods and quantitative descriptive techniques was adopted. Eleven participants (female, n = 6; male, n = 5) were asked to locate 12 destinations in two university buildings. The primary data types were a think-aloud protocol and digital video recording. Findings showed that the environmental elements that contributed to wayfinding were landmarks, corridors, nodes, regions, stairs, central spaces, courtyards, entrances, connecting halls, voids, doors, interior windows, and outdoor views. The attributes of identified environmental elements that influence wayfinding are reported. The outcomes of the present study are expected to further our theoretical understanding of the phenomena and provide a foundation for additional investigations to develop guidelines and recommendations for design decision-making in practice.