Wayfinding Systems - Existing Wayfinding

As the existing wayfinding for waterstones is very simple yet informative for this brief i have decided to add to it but keep the current style already uses, there isn't an issues with the current way the signs work but there is an issues with their not being clear directions to each section. As each section is very large this makes the shop confusing as their is no guide, the audience just has to find its way around to each section.
The selves are clearly marked and organised but there is no way to find a selected section which the audience may be looking for. For this brief my aim is to create a system of symbols/icons that are universally recognised then use them in a way so they are visible so the audience at the needed times and so they can differentiate between the genres.


The current book shelves use FS ALBERT PRO FONT,  this is a font that is associated with idea of dependance and warm because of its curved terminal of the letter implying warmth by making it seem like a softer type, its less harsh more human. Its seen as a well rounded typeface because its kind but meaningless, it doesn't imply anything else but warm and friendliness therefore perfect for a wayfinding type, its legible at a smaller size because of its slightly heightened x height causing.

“When designing a font I try to question every letter,” says Jason Smith, “but all you need is a few that have an x factor. With FS Albert, they’re the lowercase ‘a’ and ‘g’ and the uppercase ‘I’ and ‘J’.

“I remember a friend saying, ‘Why on earth have you designed the ‘a’ like that? Isn’t it too friendly for this kind of font?’ And, in a way, that’s what I wanted – honesty and warmth, because a lot of big brands at the time really needed to show a more human side.”

Here the created talks about how this typeface was design to make brands feel more friendly and give a personal side to shops, therefore 
waterstones use it to make the company reflect 
these goals. Keeping it for the wayfinding system inside is very appropriate as it stick to this ideal but also fits with the house style of the brand and its current branding, changing it might cause confusion and distraction from the books. Its still legible and readable (important feature of wayfinding text) whilst it fits softly against the contextual typography in the background (has to work with the background).

The type doesn't stand out much but the company uses string contrasting colours for the background to make it more obvious and attracts the audience attention to the type more.  

-create symbols that work with this style of type
-create symbols to differentiate the sections only
-existing wayfinding just misses section division 
-current colour scheme white and back