Everything about Environmental Graphic Design (EGD)

When we go to public places such as train stations or airports, it will be difficult to move around without directions. Since visitors might get lost, especially in a large area. That’s where Environmental Graphic Design (EGD) should be used.

First, what is Environmental Design?

Environmental graphic design is a field of design that incorporates illustrations, typography, navigation systems, and other design elements. It creates one informative and attractive environment.

By employing EGD, we can help people find where they need to go in a public place comfortably. You can find EGD in public places such as shopping centers, hospitals, train stations or airports.

This article will explore further about what environmental graphic design and how it could help people to find their destination in a public place.

The History of Environmental Graphic Design

The history of EGD started in the 19th century, when graphic designers began to use maps and signs to navigate people in the big cities.

Along with technological development, the EGD was also becoming more complex, including the creation of interactive maps, electronic navigation systems and visual design for public spaces.

Today, the EGD is an important part of public places design. Becaue EGD helps people get to their destination in public places that are getting more complex by the day.

The Purpose of EGD

The main purpose of Environmental Graphic Design (EGD) is to help people navigate a place and provide any required  information while they are there.

EGD are also meant for:

1. Creating a visual identity of a place, using a visual design to show people the place and what they offer.
2. Creating comfort and safety in public places, using personalized design for people with special needs, like people with reduced mobility or visual impairments.
3. Integrating information technology and visual design, using electronic navigation and mobile applications to assist people.
4. Building connectivity between public places, using integrated visual design that connects different locations in a public place to make people easily find their destination.

Main Components of EGD

Here are the three Environmental Graphic Design (EGD) main components:

1. Signage (and wayfinding), EGD works to guide and bring visitors to certain places by showing the way.
2. Placemaking, EGD works to provide an identity of location to make the place easily recognized and remembered.
3. Interpretation, EGD works to give information of a place or location which can be interpreted and understood. 

Types of Environmental Graphic Design

Environmental Graphic Design (EGD) is a graphic design that includes designs implemented in a physical environment. Some EGD types you can learn are as follows:

• Wayfinding design: a design that includes mapping and signing to help people find their way and destination in the physical environment.
• Signage design: a design that includes the use of signs, symbols or icons to convey visual information to the visitors.
• Mapping design: a design that includes maps to show locations, orientations, and distance in a physical environment.
• Bulletin board design: a design that includes the creation of board bulletin or posters to deliver visual information to the visitors.
• Human experience design: a design that includes planning and developing human experience in a physical environment, including interaction design between human and their environment.

Therefore, we should start discussing environmental graphic design from the very first thing, understanding how graphic design is possible to help us increase human and environment interactions.

We could create the right navigation to help people be familiar with their environment by employing the right design principles. EGD is possibly the best way to help people connect with their environment, make them experience comfort and safety.

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