Sharjah Coop Mall

Being one of the largest malls in UAE, the area of Sharjah Coop posed an immediate challenge for navigation. Visitors would want to immediately be privy to information like parking space availability and the location of certain outlets. But it may contain too much information and create clutter. Navigation needed to be accessible to the visitors without being overbearing.

The wayfinding strategy starts from the parking lot and begins as soon as signage is visible from the vehicle. Ambient information helps people find their way and create mental maps. The sooner they mentally map the location, the easier it will be to navigate. Making the parking signs noticeable from all sides was a simple but effective approach. We strategically divided the parking area into separate zones. Each zone houses significant mall landmarks like a female gym or a hypermarket and every zone has its own distinct colour scheme.

The wayfinding caters to a visitor’s desire to explore the mall, offering enough information for them to find any outlet while also being aware of the other retailers. We generated signage relating to anchor points that indicate different areas of the mall. We also put in detailed maps of the whole mall, which are readily interchangeable.

The final product was a custom-made wayfinding system with a classic style that compliments the mall's aesthetic, as well as a distinct wayfinding approach that is focused on clarity. It ensures that any visitor can instantly map the place using distinct zones and smart signage systems to make their visit as comfortable as possible.