■ Evolution of Design Along with Social Transformation

[ Nørrebro, located on the northwestern outskirts of Copenhagen, Denmark, is a successful example of urban design. The creation of an art park with the active involvement of local residents not only enhanced the cityscape but also revitalized the area ] 

With growing industrialization, design has traditionally focused on form and function. However, recent design trends are shifting toward prioritizing values over appearance. This change is particularly evident in the realm of public design. Nørrebro in Denmark, once an impoverished area inhabited by low-income workers and foreign immigrants, is now considered a successful example of urban design. By incorporating the ideas of local residents, the area was transformed through the creation of parks and landscaping, completely changing its atmosphere.

■ Design of Care for All

Universal Design (UD) was first introduced in the 1970s by American architect and product designer Ronald Mace, and the concept was later developed at the Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University. It refers to a design that can be easily used by anyone, regardless of gender, age, nationality, cultural background, or disability.

Recently, from Universal Design (UD) to Inclusive Design, a step further, has been adopted as part of UN Habitat's New Urban Agenda. As a result, major cities around the world are striving for designs that are accessible to everyone, while ensuring that all individuals benefit equally. The aim of such public design aligns with the value of creating a convenient and safe society for all. It carries significant meaning as it embodies “equitable care” amidst the shift from an “industry-centered” to a “people-centered” society.

■ Legible Design

UD (Universal Design) is often used interchangeably with barrier-free design, which removes physical obstacles, but it places greater emphasis on psychological care for users. UD also encompasses Nudge Design, which promotes natural usage, Mental Care Design that takes neurodiversity into account, and Legible Design that considers interplay with visual cognition. Among these, Legible Design uses elements such as ▲clarity, ▲spatial definition, ▲safety colors, ▲visual information, and ▲behavioral guidance to make designs more understandable.

To enhance clarity, the value variations is often used. Value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color, and visually impaired individuals tend to perceive visual information more quickly and comfortably through differences in brightness rather than differences in color.

Defining a space’s function and form by creating distinct territories is highly effective. Using color instead of text allows for faster and more accurate communication of information. For example, paving school zones with dark red asphalt naturally reduces vehicle speeds, while marking disabled parking spaces with sky blue creates a psychological deterrent against illegal parking.

Design holds information just as important as text. Infographics refer to visual images that represent information quickly and clearly. Since they can convey specific details without the need for text, they have an inclusive quality, reaching multicultural audiences and even users who are unable to read. According to one study, visual information is recognized more than four times faster than text. When combined with color information, it becomes highly effective in UD configurations.

Lastly, behavioral guidance is based on the Affordance Design theory. This design intentionally guides users toward certain behaviors or interactions through objects or environments, using metaphors and indirect methods rather than direct regulation or instructions. By applying knowledge accumulated from typical spatial experiences or using psychological factors, this design employs elements such as continuous lines, dots, and materials to help people follow rules within a space or find their way.

■ Hyundai E&C's UDWS “Here & Somewhere”

UD is essential even in apartment complexes where diverse residents live. Hyundai E&C has applied UD to address social changes such as aging populations and increasing multiculturalism, ensuring that children and visually impaired individuals can intuitively receive information. Recently, Hyundai E&C became the first construction company to introduce the Universal Design Wayfinding System (UDWS) “Here & Somewhere” which holistically considers fonts, pictograms, and colors, allowing residents to intuitively navigate to their destinations.

       

Hyundai E&C's UDWS features highly legible UD fonts developed by the Korea Disabled People's Development Institute (KODDI), designed with consideration for individuals with presbyopia and low vision. In addition, intuitive pictograms have been created to improve the effectiveness of visual communication. For life and safety-related information, high-chroma, high-brightness safety colors are used, while medium-chroma and fluorescent colors guide the movements of residents. Moreover, neutral colors are applied to backgrounds and environmental elements, establishing a clear hierarchical color system. Of course, all of these colors have been combined through simulations to meet the needs of people with color weakness. 

[ Simulation of an underground parking lot using Hyundai E&C-developed UDWS “Here & Somewhere”. The company plans to introduce UDWS starting with Hillstate, scheduled for completion next year ] 

The UDWS is particularly valuable in underground parking lots, where it's easy to lose your way. By using low-brightness colors on the floors and pillars at intersections with heavy traffic, it enhances spatial awareness, allowing drivers to easily recognize dangerous areas from a distance. Infographics and colors on the floors, walls, and pillars clearly mark movement paths and exits, improving overall clarity. Moreover, infographics, colors, and affordance design, which incorporates behavioral guidance, are applied to entrances, staircases, and emergency evacuation routes to ensure seamless and natural movement, and art walls and patterns that provide a strong spatial memory experience are also embedded to help users easily find their current location. As the name suggests, "Here & Somewhere" design reminds you that you're "here" and guides you to the "somewhere" you need to go.