Wayfinding Xchange Podcast

What is it that makes some places stay with us long after we’ve left them? In this episode of Wayfinding Xchange, Alison Richings talks to artist, designer and wayfinder Chanel Dehond about the role of storytelling, creativity and memory in the way we experience and navigate the world around us. From the visual landmarks we use to find our way, to the personal stories and unexpected details that make a place feel distinctive, Chanel explores why the things that stand out are often the things we remember. She also shares how her work as an artist has influenced her approach to wayfinding, and why humour, playfulness and personal connection have an important place within design. The conversation explores how we build mental maps, the role of our senses, the importance of inclusive communication and what we might gain, and lose, as technology makes navigation increasingly efficient. Learn more about Chanel and her work: https://chaneldehond.com

Why are public toilets one of the biggest design challenges in our cities? In this episode of the Wayfinding Xchange Podcast, we speak with researcher Gail Ramster to explore why one of the most overlooked spaces can teach us so much about the way we design for everyone. Drawing on years of research into public toilets and the public realm, Gail explains how everyday journeys are shaped by confidence, dignity and independence, and why designing for these seemingly ordinary experiences creates better places for everyone. From wayfinding and public space to policy, behaviour and the future of our cities, this is a fascinating conversation about the hidden design decisions that shape how we experience the world around us. View the Toilet Map: https://www.toiletmap.org.uk/

Why do people get lost in hospitals, even when the signs seem clear? In this episode of the Wayfinding Xchange Podcast, we speak with PhD researcher Victoria Goldenberg to explore what really happens when people navigate healthcare environments.  Using ethnographic research and eye-tracking methodology, Victoria reveals how stress, cognitive overload and human behaviour influence the way we navigate, often in ways we don't even realise.  From information overload to digital tools and the future of healthcare navigation, this is a fascinating conversation about designing hospitals that work better for both patients and staff. 

Are we designing inclusive spaces in the right way? In this episode of the Wayfinding Xchange Podcast we speak to Ed Warner, CEO and Co-Founder of Motionspot, about why the built environment needs to rethink its approach to inclusive design.  The conversation explores how to move beyond minimum standards, the role of lived experience in shaping better outcomes, and why treating inclusion as a measure of design quality can lead to environments that work better for more people.  For designers, architects and anyone shaping the built environment, this is a conversation about progress over perfection and designing for real human experiences. 

Digital navigation is evolving rapidly. Interfaces are becoming more familiar, user expectations are shifting and guidance is moving towards systems that feel more seamless and less visible. Yet the core challenge remains the same: people still need to understand where they are before they can decide where they want to go. In this episode of the Wayfinding Xchange Podcast, Alison Richings speaks with Phil Rae, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Living Map, about how human behaviour shapes navigation, what happens as guidance becomes more ambient and less screen-based, and why maps will not disappear, even as technology changes. Read more about Living Map's digital mapping solution for the Met Museum and explore their live, interactive map for Metro Centre.