Education Insights

A Seamless Experience for Wayfinding
American School and University

November 2013

Have you ever been lost? Late for an appointment? Of course, everyone has had a feeling of doubt about the ability to navigate, frustration from the lack of information received, and concern that the mistake could cost time, money or, in some cases, safety. 

Given the scale of today’s college campus environments, administrators must take steps to help visitors avoid these feelings. In the competitive world of higher education, even the slightest negative perception can have a bearing on where families invest in their children’s future. 

Education institutions can help secure this investment by focusing on five areas: hospitality, culture, context, flexibility and user expectations. These form the foundation for an integrated wayfinding program. 


Trail Wayfinding Systems: A Practical Guide to Principles, Best Practices and Deployment
American Trails 2015 Webinar Series: Trail Wayfinding Systems: a Design Summit

Mark VanderKlipp contributed to a group presentation with Greenway Planners,  Acorn Group, and Alta Planning & Design to showcase issues around trail systems planning with a focus on wayfinding, interpretive and digital integration. A recording of the session is available for purchase from the American Trails Website.


Leadership at the Movies: "Iron Man"
Invent @ Northern Michigan University

October 25 2018, Marquette MI

As part of the 4th anniversary of Invent@NMU, we delivered an encore presentation of this May, 2018 TC Chamber of Commerce event to students at Northern Michigan University and Marquette, MI community members. Using Marvel’s 2008 classic “Iron Man,” we engaged in an interactive discussion about leadership principles and entrepreneurial thinking, using design as the catalyst.


Technology & Efficient Visitor Navigation
American School & Hospital Facility

December, 2015

Mark VanderKlipp was asked to provide overview of technology solutions for wayfinding, the advantages of digital tools for visitors, and how to integrate technology into a sustainable system of wayfinding communications.


Hospitality by Design: Planning the Optimal Visitor Experience
Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) 49th Annual International Conference:
Plan for Transformation

July 2013, Pittsburgh PA 

An in-depth review of how experience planning led to physical and digital wayfinding tools that supported staff, prospective students and their families at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) campus. This project also informed a renovation of the Student Union to enhance the orientation and admissions experience. Presented by Mark VanderKlipp and George Killian, former University Architect at UNO.


Phygital Wayfinding: Building Brand and Culture, Online and Off
Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) 48th Annual Conference: Cultivating Integration

June 2012, San Diego CA 

A discussion highlighting the importance of physical and digital wayfinding tools and logic to the College and University community. Joint presentation with Mark VanderKlipp and client Kate Pepin from the University of Michigan - Dearborn featuring the UM-Dearborn wayfinding system. Also presented as a Webinar to SCUP membership in late 2012