Jeff Corbin’s wayfinding philosophy and the firm’s work for health care facilities around the country are featured in a new book by fellow environmental graphic designer Wayne Hunt. Eight pages of the book are devoted to Downtown LA Walks, the $2-million wayfinding program developed jointly by Corbin Design and Hunt Design Associates for a 300-block area of downtown Los Angeles. An excerpt from the book appears below.

One of the guiding principles of wayfinding theory is that wayfinding programs should be designed for the first-time visitor. Among the many types of public facilities and environments, medical facilities probably have the highest number of first-time visitors. And not only are a large percentage of users making their first visit, they are often doing so while dealing with stressful medical situations. It is imperative to orient visitors properly and to make them as self-sufficient as possible in finding their way—to do so supports their personal dignity and gives them added feelings of comfort and security, to say nothing of reducing time lost as staff members help confused visitors.

“Environmental Graphics: Projects & Process” is available through Amazon.com.