Guiding Our Way Through the Guinness Storehouse

This weekend I was able to fly to Ireland with five other Cal Poly students. One of the many sites we were able to see was the Guinness Storehouse. The seven story building was one of the most beautifully designed attractions I have ever visited. The building was also designed in the shape of a pint glass, which I think was probably fun for the architects to design. 

In addition to beautiful type covering the many walls of the building, the self-guided tour was simple to follow due to well designed signage and wayfinding spread throughout the different floors. At the beginning of the tour we were all given an 8-page accordion folded brochure and map. These maps guided us through the storehouse and provided additional information about what we were viewing on each floor. Additionally, each floor had signs and posters that directed the visitors. The Guinness Storehouse does a great job navigating their visitors through their experience of learning about Ireland's treasured beer. It is also just one example of the hundreds of attractions which must consider which wayfinding designs and techniques they will use to help their visitors have a great experience. 

Each page of the brochure had the same layout, map, icons, and type used. This creates
repetition throughout the brochure and makes it easy for visitors to find what they are
looking for on each floor.

One of my favorite floors in the building, was the third floor. This floor was a history of the
advertising of Guinness. Just as we saw at Ascot, how hard the company works to brand their
 business, it is obvious much work has gone into and continues to go into the branding of Guinness.  

Throughout the brochure good contrast is used. None of the types or colors used are too similar. 

The use of contrast also makes the more important information pop off the page. The brochure also has good

 alignment. There are no items on the brochure that were placed just to take up space. This helps the brochure 

have a good amount of white space.

The walls of the building were filled with type of many different categories.

Our group before we started the tour of the building.

Wayfinding and signage play important roles in leading Guinness lovers to the many
different places in Dublin and around the world serving Ireland's favorite beer.