Entering ADM
On entering ADM lobby, one of the main problems identified include the lack of attention way finding signs.
For the first floor, two metal signs are seen located, one of the left next to the glass doors as seen here, and one at the lift. However, they are not attention seeking enough for one to easily spot them off the walls, given how well they blend into the colour scheme of the building’s interior.
Even at the lift, the area surrounding the metal signage is cluttered, further drawing attention away from it
Exploring Level 1: ADM library
Revisiting this image, these glass doors lead to the library. Problem identified with ADM glass doors include their lack of a push/pull sign, which often leads to users testing which method would enable them to successfully open the door
You only reach the library after walking pass the cafe, and with no indications for users to continue walking forward, many get lost on finding the library (With experience of passers-by, students, and friends asking for directions to the library).
Here, you are required to walk down a flight of stairs to proceed to the library’s entrance. For wheelchair users, they may use the lift located on the right. However, this is not time efficient considering the waiting time involved (+ slow mechanics of this lift). Perhaps a ramp would be good.
For wheelchair users, ADM building is largely inaccessible as a whole. From non-automated, and heavy doors to pass through, to a lack of convenient route from one place to another (requires them to walk long winding routes to avoid staircases)
Map within the library is not helpful for the user. Lacked details of where my current location was as well as key identification codes of the library materials for easy navigation and reference.
In my opinion, books are not easily found despite the use of its labeling system. I attribute it to the use of a combination of long complicated numerals and alphabets, for instance the N72.S6S599 as seen below. It is also identified that some books are not labelled with the author’s last name, making it difficult for a user to search for his or her desired book.
Borrowing books yorurself done with ease, with simple clear instructions from the screen, as well as the indented V-shape in the device to suggest the opening of the book to scan its barcode. Sufficient table space for users to place excess books at the side while borrowing as well.
Exploring Level 1: Film area
No signs to indicate the presence of toilets (on turning right). This problem is then identified throughout the ADM library. I have had many instances of friends who are not ADM students or exchange students asking me for directions to where the toilet was located.
Toilet experience was relatively easy as I instinctively pushed the door to enter. (Why so?) After much consideration, this may be attributed to the absence of a door handle that indicated that I should push it instead of pulling it open.
As for the flush button, it was natural for me to push the button, possibly due to the fact that the button was nicely flushed with the wall surface, making it clear to the user that one is not to pull it. Or possibly, this was just an ingrained user action brought about by toilet experiences everywhere today.
Exploring Basement: Animation region
No indication of who used these spaces, and for a foreigner of the school, they could easily be mistaken for staff spaces and offices (given their private location and well compartmentalized layout).
Similar to the lack of proper signage directing one to the toilet, there are no signs to indicate the presence of water dispensers as well. This hot and cold water dispenser is located at a remote corner next to the toilets on the basement floor
Exploring Basement: Product Design region
Some rooms on the basements are not labelled in chronological order, making it difficult for the user to locate a space
In ADM buildings, some doors, such as this one, as well as those in studios and computer rooms, require the user to press a button in order for it to be opened from the inside. However, there is no indication for a foreign user who is unfamiliar of the space.
The sunken plaza located at the basement is not accessible to wheelchair users. Unlike non-wheelchair users, they are not able to use this shortcut for easy movement on the basement floor, e.g. to go to the toilet or the lift.
Exploring Level 2
Only map available was the loading plan printed in acrylic, but there was no information relevant for the user
Clear instructions on recycling bins were effective for users, allowing one to know what types of material were accepted, or not.
Exploring Level 2: Vis Comm area
Absence of handrails on the right side? People who require the handrails to proceed up or proceed down are inconvenienced as this only allows a one-way traffic for handrail users.
Lack of clear indication of the classroom unit numbers are confusing for the users. This is especially so since the small labels are indicated only on the door, so one has to go towards every door to see it’s label to find out which classroom it was. Could consider larger signs in the direction of the passage (think primary school classroom signs that are placed above the door), or signs to indicate the order of numbers on one side of the passageway and the other (think signs to indicate location of rooms in hotels)
No indication of what this leads to (staff offices) and which teachers one can find there
Clear instructions for lift users: to press the button on waiting. Similar to the problem of the ADM library, wheelchair users need to incur excess amounts of time simply to proceed down this flight of stairs.
Exploring Level 2: Photography area
The auditorium is located at this area and is often used to hold talks, events or academic sharing. However, there are no distinct signs to indicate that this door leads to the auditorium (the design of these doors are the same throughout ADM). For a facility that is often used by outsiders of the school, there is a greater need to make it more visible and easy to identify.
Exploring Level 3
For a foreign user, one may not be able to find the entrance leading to the ADM rooftop garden
No signs to indicate that this door leads to staff offices. From experience, it is as tough to navigate within this region as well as there were no signs to locate who sat where, hence I had to ask any staff that was present within to direct me.
Exploring Outside
Despite this being the main front of the ADM lobby, there are no distinct signs to indicate that this building is ADM. The NTU implemented sign is located nearer to the entrance of the ADM cafe.
In addition, there is no shelter connecting ADM to the sheltered walkway opposite the school nor to the North Spine, making it difficult for students to travel within NTU on rainy days.
As a whole, I view that ADM is lacking in several ways in terms of its user experience, especially so for people of special needs as well as first-timers to the school
