GIVING PASSENGERS DIRECTION AT PHL
Designing a new map system for the passengers at Philadelphia International Airport
PHL Maps
OVERVIEW
I designed the passenger-facing airport map to help travelers navigate the Philadelphia International Airport.
TOOLS
Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop; Wordpress
SKILLS
Graphic design; Wordpress
DELIVERABLES
Print flyers, tear-off pads, posters, banners, wall coverings; digital web graphics
CHALLENGE: SIMPLIFY
The map needed to simplify a complicated airport footprint.
EXECUTION
To overcome the detailed layout of PHL, I stripped away the physical footprint of the airport and instituted the 'subway-style' format. In this format, I grouped locations by proximity and used simple icons to represent amenities.
In the old map system, users had to swap back-and-forth between the map and the content below, often multiple times in a single session.
In the new system I executed, users can find what they're looking for more organically as well as systematically.
CHALLENGE: INFORM
The map needed to be easy to understand at-a-glance and allow passengers to discover information in both direct and indirect ways.
EXECUTION
Passengers can trace through simplified terminals and connectors in order to locate shops and restaurants spatially, therefore they gain an accurate and intuitive understanding of the airport's layout.
Additionally, the lists of locations separating “food” from “shop & services” helps passengers navigate by their need first; second, they can identify locations alphabetically to revisit familiar and favorite locations; third, passengers can locate a “uniquely Philly” experience, restaurants catering to their dietary needs, or shops with specific offerings via the icons alongside the alphabetical lists.
CHALLENGE: MAINTAIN
The map needed to be easy to update over time to maintain accuracy.
EXECUTION
The map's white background allows for seamless swap-outs and changes, even as individual merchants arrive, depart, or even change their company logos. Maps in the B/C Connector were made to the same specifications so vinyl snipes are easy to accurately install.
RESULTS
The overall layout is simplified and easy to understand. It better represents the groupings of shops and restaurants and has helped passengers better navigate the airport, especially as only a limited number of vendors remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the maps are easy for the staff to update and maintain.
The new passenger-facing map launched in the summer of 2020 on printed signage. The map has continued to roll out within PHL, expanding to walls, columns, digital screens, brochures, and more within all terminals and connectors.
