Designing movement
through signages
Navigating Somnath
I designed a wayfinding and signage system for Somnath to improve
navigation for visitors by integrating maps and directional signages.
Type: Academic Project
Industry: Wayfinding & Signage
Timeline: 2 weeks
My role: Service designer
Understanding
movement in Somnath
01
—
I studied existing maps, signages, and navigation patterns in Somnath to understand how visitors move through the space and where confusion occurs.
02
—
Signages across the area vary in color, typography, and layout, without a standardized visual system.
03
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Most navigation information is presented in detailed, text-heavy formats, often in regional language.
04
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Existing maps focus on selected routes and locations, with several destinations and access points not included.
Research
To understand navigation in Somnath, I looked at visitor demographics, footfall patterns, and the challenges people face while navigating the space, supported by existing maps and signage systems.
What I found?
• On regular days, the temple attracts approximately 20,000 to 25,000 devotees. This number goes up to 75,000 visitors per day on special occasions (like Mahashivratri or Kartik Purnima)
• People travelling via air reach either Diu (nearest airport) or Rajkot (2nd nearest airport) and then further take a bus, taxi or train to reach Somnath.
• Veraval junction is the nearest major railway station (7 km) providing connectivity to major Indian cities.
• Regular bus services (GSRTC) and private operators run from Ahmedabad and Rajkot.
•Gujarat ranked 3rd among Indian states for foreign tourist arrivals in 2024, hosting over 2.27 million international, a part of which visited Somnath too.
• Visitors typically move between temple, nearby attractions and transport points, but the absence of clear routes leads to confusion.
Pain points
Navigation lacks clarity and trust
Inconsistent signage makes it difficult to quickly recognize, interpret, and rely on the system.
Information is difficult to process
Text heavy and language specific content increases cognitive load for visitors.
Movement feels fragmented
Missing destinations and lack of connected routes force users to rely on guesswork or external help.
How Might We?
How might we design a unified wayfinding system for Somnath that enables visitors to navigate the space with clarity and ease?