Wayfinding is more about natural human behavior than just signage; it’s about how colors, materials and layout help people easily navigate a space. In PK-12 schools, where children interact with their surroundings differently than adults, thoughtful design can make a big difference in how easily they move through hallways, classrooms and common areas. FGMA interior designers Katie Corey, NCIDQ, WELL AP and Erin Moyer, RID offer their insights on designing schools that guide all users intuitively, reducing confusion and making spaces feel welcoming.
Katie (left) focuses primarily on PK-12 Education and Higher Education design and has 11 years of experience in the interior design industry. Erin (right) also centers her work around PK-12 Education and Higher Education and has 17 cumulative years of experience. Together, their insights provide an authentic look into applying wayfinding in the field of architecture.
Q: Why is wayfinding important in design?
KATIE: Every day, we all experience wayfinding by design throughout our lives, whether it’s in our homes, at work or school or if we are experiencing a place for the first time. Good wayfinding puts the user experience at the forefront. It’s a scientifically backed method using identification or directional signage and visual cues to allow the user to intuitively navigate their surroundings easier. Clear wayfinding can also help ease the flow of traffic in an emergency, and it can help emergency responders navigate the building to get to those who need help quicker.
ERIN: Wayfinding is crucial in the built environment because it helps people navigate spaces efficiently, safely and with minimal frustration. We experience it all around us with a multitude of design elements, such as signage, lighting, landmarks, spatial organization and intuitive architectural features that guide individuals through their surroundings.
For example, using a special design element like color or graphics or glazed glass can remind people which kind of space they are about to enter. Lighting may also be used to visually guide the eyes towards a particular destination; incorporating straight LED linear lights along a hallway ceiling would create an added visual layer that directs someone toward a core space of the school, like the student commons or front entrance.
Q: What’s key in creating effective wayfinding in schools?
"In PK-12 design, it is critical to remember your audience is everyone."
KATIE: In PK-12 design, it is critical to remember your audience is everyone. Universal design is paramount across all our market sectors at FGMA. In terms of wayfinding, we can’t rely on directional signage alone. Children might not be able to read yet, English might not be their first language or they might be too short to see a sign up high. When designing schools, which often have long hallways and may be confusing to navigate, I always ask: What visual cues can be added so that anyone could figure out where to go?
ERIN: It is the responsibility of designers and architects to create spaces that are not only user-friendly but also inclusive and welcoming — and teaching the end user or the owner the importance of it. There is always more opportunity to discuss wayfinding in the beginning stages of a project. Keeping it from being an afterthought and helping clients understand the long-term value of it ultimately helps create a holistic design package that elevates the entire project.
Q: Can you describe any differences in strategy or approach to creating spaces that already exist in the physical world vs. spaces that are designed from the ground up?
KATIE: With an existing condition, renovation-type building, if the sense of scale is off, that can be a pain point to adapt to because — especially with little kids — we want to make the space feel appropriate for them. Sometimes, the really vast, tall spaces can feel overwhelming for younger children.
Having that natural confidence while navigating a building is really important. When we're doing a new building, we can plan for that and lower the planes and make some of these spaces feel a little bit more intimate and appropriate for the users. It might be harder to do that with just a refresh to an existing space. We can add graphics and signage, but often the sense of scale of a space is difficult to change.
ERIN: When developing a design concept or story for a client, regardless of whether it already exists, I focus on key design aspects that enhance the user experience, ensuring seamless movement through the building while reinforcing a cohesive, holistic design.
Another aspect I like to incorporate is branding and identity. We use wayfinding in districts as a part of their branding strategy incorporating logos, colors and materials to reinforce that school’s special identity.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of designing wayfinding is collaborating with future users to discover creative visual cues that encourage student exploration and engagement with their surroundings.
Designing wayfinding for a space that is already built involves a few extra considerations. For example, I might have to be more strategic with placements to incorporate existing walls and spaces or work with existing materials and colors to blend in an updated concept. I would also be more deliberate using technology to model and test key spaces in 3D, ultimately helping clients visualize how the wayfinding elements will look.
Q: Share a memorable or successful wayfinding project you worked on.
KATIE: Highland Primary School is a large, new school for Pre-K through second grades that recently completed construction. The floor plan consists of four classroom wings with a central “hub" containing administration, a nurse’s office, cafeteria and gym. Throughout the project, we were challenged to think like a young child and wonder how they might confidently navigate such a large, new building.
We implemented designated colors and signs at the entry to each wing which described the grade level. Then, once inside the grade level wing, we designated a color to each classroom "zone.” Beyond that, each classroom had a custom animal shape by their door. At the grand opening, it was so fun to hear a kindergartener confidently tell their parents, “My classroom is the yellow one with a cat on it, this way!”
ERIN: Developing the wayfinding package for Houston Elementary in Austin ISD was a truly rewarding experience.
Collaborating closely with the district, we crafted a narrative inspired by their eagle mascot and the natural landscapes of the region. The design follows the journey of a young eagle, mirroring the students’ growth as they progress through the school.
The early childhood neighborhood, themed as "The Nest," represents a safe and nurturing start. As students navigate the building, a thoughtful color story doubles as a wayfinding tool, helping younger learners identify key areas even before they can read.
Transitioning through the circulation corridors, the "The Woods" theme connects grades K-2 studios, symbolizing exploration and discovery. Finally, students reach grades 3-5 studios, where the "Soaring into the Sky" concept represents their readiness to take flight toward their next educational journey. This immersive wayfinding approach not only enhances navigation but also fosters a sense of identity and adventure for students as they grow within the space.
"This immersive wayfinding approach not only enhances navigation but also fosters a sense of identity and adventure for students as they grow within the space."
Q: How do you accommodate inclusivity and accessibility in wayfinding designs?
KATIE: Another project that comes to mind is Caseyville Elementary School. Caseyville is a diverse community in Collinsville, IL with many students who primarily speak Spanish. We designed all signage throughout the facility to be in English and Spanish. “Welcome / Bienvenido” is prominently featured on the opposite wall of the lobby. We intentionally did this so that every student would feel welcome, safe and celebrated as soon as they entered the front door. In the lobby, a custom mural features photos of actual Caseyville students and motivational sayings in both languages. At Caseyville, where there are different classroom wings, the mural feels like the cornerstone of the interior; it is a grounding point right in the middle and students can see it as they come down the hallways. Teachers will even refer to it as a landmark when giving directions.
Multilingual signage continues throughout the school: large words in the halls like “Laugh, Dream, Aprender, Crear” are bold visuals that also remind students of their location. Even the adjacent community library — which is used by the school — includes signage in both languages.
One more layer of wayfinding at Caseyville includes a variety of colors on hallway walls and ceilings. All core spaces in the school (like the gym or bathrooms) are highlighted by the school’s main spirit color: a bright, royal purple. Secondary colors are painted at classrooms, providing yet one more way students (especially those who cannot yet read) can get a sense of where they are located and where to go next.
ERIN: Good wayfinding should always prioritize accessibility and inclusivity. This means incorporating clear signage and universally recognized symbols that make navigation intuitive for all users.
Keeping the community at the forefront is essential. Here in Texas, many of the students in districts we work with primarily speak Spanish, making it essential for wayfinding to honor their cultural heritage while providing clear and inclusive communication. We achieve this through dual-language signage or by incorporating logos and familiar imagery that create a sense of safety and belonging for students.
Q: What trends or innovations in wayfinding design do you see shaping the future of the industry?
KATIE: PK-12 and higher education facilities are more frequently using digital screens to show digital directories, dynamic floor plans or interactive maps for visitors. A digital format streamlines content updates without the need to constantly replace physical signage.
ERIN: I see AI-powered wayfinding and more digitally interactive wayfinding tools being incorporated more and more. Incorporating touchscreens with accessibility features and mobile-friendly apps are already a norm in current wayfinding design. Smart wayfinding systems will use AI to provide real-time navigation, personalized routes and accessibility solutions. AI-driven systems will detect confusion or hesitation and proactively assist via digital kiosks or mobile notification on the spot. AI will enhance dynamic signage by adapting the appearance, size and language based on a user’s preference or cultural background, providing an ultra-personalized experience as they navigate the built environment.