You need to obtain and send the most recent set of architectural blueprints of your facility. We take the information provided in a blueprint to design accurate interior maps of a facility. Architectural blueprints are currently being produced digitally by computer-aided design programs and are commonly referred to as CADs.

Architectural blueprint (CAD) example

The preferred digital file format for blueprints is DWG. A DWG file specifically has the ability to maintain a layout’s measurement data and the scale size that it was designed at. If we have these measurements we can ensure the maps are scaled accurately in our system to provide the best experience for you and your visitors.

You may also provide a PDF file format. If you only have access to the facility’s architectural blueprints in PDF format you must provide us with some additional information. We require you to go on-site to the facility and take a few measurements of a some of the architectural spaces. A few examples of common measurements are:

• The width of a main Hallway

• The width of a doorway (single and/or double)

• The width and length of a space or room (x2)

PDFs and sometimes DWG files lack the architectural notes to communicate and define a 2D designed space. In these cases, our designer may need to reach out for clarification on the actual physical space. Please ensure you have someone who is familiar with the facility available to answer these questions.

We also need you to provide your company logo. Your company logo is used within our Wayfinding Solution across multiple platforms to brand your Wayfinding experience.

For your logo graphic, please provide a vector file format (SVG, EPS, AI file) whenever possible. Vector file formats allow us to scale your logo without loosing resolution to support your chosen Wayfinding Solution. If a vector file format is unavailable, please provide us with a high-resolution image file (PNG, JPEG, TIFF) of your logo.

Some companies may have a few approved designs of their logos. For example, the logo may have been designed for both a vertical and horizontal layout. A horizontal layout is the preferred layout to use within our Wayfinding Solutions; however, a vertical layout displays more attractively on a Kiosk splash screen. If you have multiple designs for your logo please provide us with these options.

The style guide is a recommendation but not a required document. If your company has an overall style or brand guide, we would appreciate it if you could also send this document to us. The company’s style is your general rulebook that explains how an organization presents itself and it’s branding to the public. It should include all the variations of your logo, a list of company approved fonts, a selection of your branding colors and much more. We want your maps to reflect you and your social presence. Your style guide helps inspire us to design your custom maps to reflect the look and feel of your branding.

If your company does not have a style guide, we can use your company’s website as a reference. We may ask for a list of approved fonts and branding colors that we may incorporate into your design.

We use iconography throughout our maps to symbolize common destinations, points of interest, or areas of travel. If you have common iconography throughout your facility we can incorporate your icons into our maps. For example, many of our clients have an existing icon for elevators which display on their static signage. If you are able to provide the necessary documents we can add this feature.

If you provide a list of icons for us to use, we prefer these in a vector file format. A vector file format allows us to scale an icon to an appropriate size for our map files. The vector file format also facilitates the integration into our map files. Iconography is drawn within our digital environment and all our digital art is designed within a SVG vector file format. If you are only able to provide a rasterized image file (PNG, JPEG, TIFF), it will take our designer extra time to reproduce your icons in a vector file format.

If you do not have any custom iconography, we do provide a variety of options to choose from. The Solutions Delivery team can provide you with our own style book that contains examples of commonly used iconography. There are a number of symbols that we have used to represent several different locational features. Upon review of this document, please choose whichever iconography works for you and your team.

Any map design graphics are completely optional and depend on your preferences. You may already have preexisting maps utilized throughout your facility. If your facility has already created a set of interior maps and are happy with those designs, we can incorporate the same design into our own system. In these cases, please provide the necessary art files for reference. The files needed may vary. At the very least, we require an image file of the overall map, a list of fonts used, the art files that contain your iconography, and a list of color hex codes to reproduce your map. We recommend to schedule a discussion with our Graphics Department to ensure they have and understand all the necessary documents to complete this request.

If you do not have a set of interior maps, we can provide you with an original map design produced by our Graphics Department with the support of your Company style guide. The Solutions Delivery team can provide you with a Style Book which has multiple examples of different mapping styles. Upon review of this document, please inform us if any of these styles interest you.

If you would prefer to go with a completely new design, we require some initial ideas or feelings on the subject. After some design work, we will send you a set of at least two color proofs for your review and approval process. The Solutions Deliveries team will walk you through this process during the design phase of your Wayfinding project.