Effective wayfinding in healthcare facilities is crucial, as hospitals can be difficult to navigate. Additionally, patients and families often enter the space under high levels of stress and with varying levels of ability and accommodation requirements. In an institution designed for healing, it is essential that the space reflects this purpose.
Wayfinding refers to the navigation of a physical environment using systems and tools such as signage, architectural features, landmarks, color-coded details, floor and wall markings, and more. However, effective wayfinding requires more than just arrows and directions. Traditional signage, while functional, often lacks the warmth and accessibility needed to create a welcoming atmosphere, and it doesn’t serve as a memorable landmark to help users understand the space.
It is essential to approach wayfinding as more than a set of instructions and explore how visual elements influence perception and interaction with a space. Incorporating art in wayfinding can transform the navigation language – enhancing guidance tools, fostering comfort, and prompting visual engagement.
The Role of Wayfinding in Healthcare Environments
There is a proven link between the physical environment and user health and well-being in healthcare buildings (Selçuk, 2022). The quality of environmental elements – such as lighting, architectural features, noise, spatial organization, windows, and natural features – can affect anxiety levels, medication use, psychological disorders, length of hospital stays, pain levels, professional interactions, and more. Strategic, evidence-based design strategies consider user feedback and prioritize patient and staff experience when shaping a space.
In hospitals with effective person-place design implementations, the infrastructure and design elements positively influence the physical and psychological well-being of individuals within the space.
Wayfinding is one of the primary factors that impact experience in healthcare facilities. Ineffective navigation can lead to increased anxiety, stress, and inefficiencies in hospital operations (Kalantari et al., 2022). Common wayfinding tools include signage, color-coded systems, architectural cues, and artistic landmarks. These tools support wayfinding languages as:
- Directional devices: Indicating the direction to a specific location in the facility
- Orientational devices: Showing the current location relative to another space or the broader facility
- Defining devices: Identifying and differentiating spaces, locations, and destinations within the same facility (Al-Sharaa et al., 2022)
Strategically pairing evidence-based interior design with user-oriented wayfinding tools can improve patient experience, make the space more welcoming, and support healing practices. An effective wayfinding system should minimize confusion, ease patient flow, and create an intuitive experience. 
How Art Enhances Wayfinding
Using art for wayfinding enhances spatial orientation and provides intuitive navigation cues (Harvey Jr. et al., 2015). Research recognizes artwork as a more effective tool than informational signage as it supports spatial recognition and cognitive mapping.
Cognitive mapping refers to the intuitive process by which individuals organize spatial information to navigate and understand their environment. People often use recognizable landmarks to recall locations and orient themselves in complex spaces (Alibrahim, 2019). In wayfinding, artwork can serve as a landmark to support cognitive mapping, making an environment more memorable and, therefore, easier to navigate.
Furthermore, EEG studies reveal that individuals navigating environments with integrated wayfinding elements, such as art and distinct architectural features, exhibit higher cognitive engagement and improved spatial comprehension compared to those navigating systems using informational signage as their only navigational support (Kalantari et al., 2022).
The connection between environmental design and patient well-being is well-documented. Patients exposed to thoughtfully designed hospital spaces, including art installations and visually engaging wayfinding systems, report lower anxiety levels, reduced pain perception, and overall improved satisfaction. Additionally, when art and imagery have positive affiliations, patients are more likely to interact with and experience the healing properties associated with art. For example, in many adult facilities, patients respond well to art that is neutral in subject matter, yet positive and bright in tone and style. Pediatric patients respond positively to bright colors and friendly, familiar imagery and characters, associating these elements with comfort and security (Selçuk, 2022). When combined, art, design, and wayfinding create an environment that supports emotional well-being and enhances functionality.
Approaches to Integrating Art in Wayfinding
Strategic implementation is essential to maximizing the impact of art in wayfinding. Prioritizing the intersection of art’s healing benefits with the transformative power of art in wayfinding can create an intuitive and human-centered environment.
- Using art as visual landmarks: Distinctive art placed in key locations can serve as reference points to help users orient themselves within the facility. For example, a patient might remember to turn left at the ocean mural when navigating to the pediatric wing.
- Color coding: Assigning specific colors to different departments or areas enhances recognition and continuity (Sunyoung, 2024). Strategically selected art can strengthen, complement, and enhance color contrasting systems
- Incorporating strategic imagery: Displaying images of nature and calming scenes has been proven to lower stress and improve well-being. Choosing nature-based themes in different spaces can help differentiate these locations while promoting the healing benefits of art (Selçuk, 2022).
- Employing a Consistent Design Language: Wayfinding cues should be cohesive throughout the facility to build familiarity (Kalantari et al. 2022).
How TurningArt Can Help
At TurningArt, we understand the impact of a well-designed environment on the healthcare experience. Our expert Art Advisors curate artwork that enhances wayfinding, reduces stress, and fosters a sense of comfort for patients, visitors, and staff. By incorporating thoughtfully selected pieces, we help transform complex hospital layouts into intuitive and welcoming spaces.
TurningArt offers an extensive collection of artwork that can complement and support wayfinding languages and hospital design, introduce calming visual landmarks, and create a healing atmosphere. Whether through rotating art programs or permanent installations, we are proud to help healthcare facilities create environments that promote well-being and ease of navigation.
Connect with an Art Advisor to schedule a complimentary consultation or request a customized quote.
