INTERACTIVE WAY-FINDING: MAP STYLE AND EFFECTIVENESS

Abstract

To evaluate the effectiveness of three map variables on simulated way-finding ability in a 2 by 2 by 2 design (color vs black & white; high vs low level of detail; and labels in a legend vs labels adjacent to landmarks), 43 males and 43 females were randomly assigned to one of these eight different map conditions. Using a touch screen monitor for all aspects of the study, participants were instructed to study first a map, then locate a number of landmarks on their map and indicate which paths to follow when proceeding to a specified destination. Participants in map conditions with landmarks identified by number and labeled in a legend (legend condition) took significantly longer than those in conditions where the landmark names were listed at the site of the landmarks themselves (labels intact condition) to locate one of the specified landmarks. Males were faster than females to indicate which paths to follow for the simulated mapping task and reported significantly less frustration performing the way-finding tasks than did females. Left-handers made significantly fewer errors than right-handers in indicating which paths to follow on the simulated way-finding task. Implications for map and kiosk designers are discussed.