Featured in Neonatology Today: Finding Our Way: How Thoughtful Wayfinding Supports Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Families in Times of Stress

Thoughtful wayfinding creates clarity and confidence throughout the healthcare journey.

 When implemented effectively, it helps people understand where they are, know what to do next, and move through an environment with ease. 

In the NICU, these qualities can play a meaningful role in supporting both families and staff. As individuals navigate complex care environments while experiencing fatigue, stress, and heightened emotions, thoughtful wayfinding can enhance orientation, reduce cognitive demands, and foster a sense of reassurance. 

This article in Neonatology Today examines NICU wayfinding through a human factors lens, exploring how design can better support perception, cognition, and attention. Effective wayfinding responds to the diverse needs of families, staff, and visitors, recognizing that navigational needs often change under stress. Through visual language, nonverbal communication, and thoughtfully integrated environmental cues, wayfinding systems can create more intuitive experiences that strengthen orientation and understanding. By transforming fragmented navigation into cohesive and supportive journeys, design can help reduce mental effort while promoting clarity, confidence, and comfort in one of healthcare's most emotionally complex environments. 

Read the full article here. 

Julia Jude, AIA, EDAC, Hayley Freilich, EDAC, PMP, Riley 

Atlas, Jess Schultz, Anya Vanecek, MPH, Assoc. AIA