Why navigation is ultimately about people
At its core, navigation is not a technological challenge, but a human one. While digital tools continue to evolve, the underlying challenge of wayfinding has not changed. Before people can decide where they want to go, they first need to understand where they are.
Phil explains that navigation is not purely functional. It’s shaped by emotion, context and mindset. Someone rushing for a flight or arriving at a hospital appointment will navigate very differently to someone exploring a museum or shopping centre. Stress, time pressure and unfamiliar environments all influence how people move through space.
Considering this behavioural perspective is fundamental when designing any navigation system. Digital tools must respond to these different moments, rather than assume a single, uniform user journey.
"Stress changes how people navigate. If I'm late for a flight, I'm not pulling out a map. I'm heading straight for the gate. If I've got five hours, that's when the map becomes useful."
Dominance of the blue dot
One of the most recognisable elements of digital navigation is the now-familiar blue dot. Ubiquitous with consumer mapping platforms such as Google Maps and Apple Maps, this simple visual cue has become a widely understood standard for navigation.
Phil discusses the role that familiarity plays in reducing cognitive load for the user. When people encounter interfaces that behave in ways they recognise, they can orient themselves more quickly.
At the same time, this standardisation creates challenges around brand identity and reflecting sense of place. He explains that finding balance between familiarity for users and customisation is an important consideration when designing digital mapping systems. Living Map’s platform allows organisations to customise map design through visual language, branding and content layers so that the digital experience aligns with the character and function of the building it supports.
Beyond the phone: the next evolution of navigation
We still heavily rely upon smartphones for digital navigation. But as technology continues to develop, the interface is likely to change.
Phil argues that phones are unlikely to be the final format for how we navigate. Wearable devices, such as glasses or contact lenses, and augmented reality could shift guidance away from handheld screens towards more ambient systems.
This could make navigation feel increasingly seamless. Instead of actively consulting a map, people may receive subtle cues and prompts as they move through spaces.
Despite these technological advances, this doesn’t spell the end of the map.
Within complex buildings, maps also serve multiple purposes beyond guiding visitors. The same spatial framework can support facilities teams, operational management, maintenance planning and asset tracking. In this sense, the map becomes part of the underlying infrastructure of the building.
While the interface may become less visible to the user, the map continues to play a critical role behind the scenes.
"I don't think the interface is your phone. The slab of display in your pocket will be around for a while but it's not the final format. When navigation becomes something you wear rather than hold, that's when things shift."
Maps as living systems
Another key theme of the conversation is that maps are never truly finished.
Buildings evolve over time, tenants move, routes change and new uses emerge. For digital mapping to remain useful, it must consistently be maintained and updated. He explains that without clear governance and ownership, even the most sophisticated system can quickly become unreliable.
Thinking of maps as living systems rather than static products can help organisations to plan for this continual change.
"A building is never done. How people want to navigate through space can change over time. You'll get some people who want to browse and some who want to beeline for where they're going. It's about not taking any visitor for granted."
Digital and physical wayfinding must work together
One of the most important takeaways from the conversation is that digital navigation should not exist in isolation.
Architecture, physical signage, landmarks and digital interfaces all contribute to how people navigate a space. The most effective experiences emerge when all these elements work together as one cohesive system, helping people move through complex environments with greater confidence and clarity.
To learn more about Living Map and their products visit: https://www.livingmap.com/