QR Me

Stepping out of the office, but still want to be available to patrons? Try adding a QR code link to a visual sign on your office door. QR codes have been in popular use for some time, and can link to a variety of information sources - Website URL, YouTube Video, Google Maps Location, Social Media Site, iTunes Link, Plain Text, Telephone Number, SMS Message, Email Address, Contact Details (VCARD), or Event (VCALENDAR). Just go to any of the free QR generator sites on the web, to create a visual contact!

For additional ideas and information on the use of QR codes in libraries, see Robin Ashford's excellent article in C&RL News.

Back to the Visual Basics

The visual workplace is based on the premise of communicating information in a clear, simple, and obvious manner. To do that, you obviously need good visibility. But would is good visibility? Is it bright colors, bold graphics, and large text.

Well, one good way to think about visibility is to go back to the basics. In her 2010 book, The Wall Street Journal Guide to Information Graphics, author Dona Wong begins her monograph with a valuable chapter on "The Basics." Now, it is important to note that Ms. Wong is primarily concerned with the proper presentation of business data, facts, and figures (hence the publisher), but many of her advices are extremely relevant to the visual workplace. In chapter one, she covers topics such as Numbers, Data Richness, Font Legibility, Typography, Color Basics, Color Charts, and Color for the Color Blind. She also covers the interesting notion of the Visual-Data Continuum, illustrating the best ways to combine rich data with high visual impact.

Chapter two contains great advices on how to best convey information using Pictograms/Icons and Maps/Shading. Check it out, a great book presented in a highly visual style!

There's a Color For That!

So which colors work best when identifying borders for non-movable equipment, movable equipment, item storage areas, walkways, etc.? Well, the choice is up to you. You can use as many colors as you wish. To help you get started, both OSHA and ANSI produce reference guides which standardize workplace colors and their meaning. For example, OSHA recommends the following (29 CFR 1910.145(f) App B) -

While the standard does not specifically mandate colors to be used on accident prevention tags, the following color scheme is recommended by OSHA for meeting the requirements of this section:

"DANGER" - Red, or predominantly red.

"CAUTION" - Yellow, or predominantly yellow.

"WARNING" - Orange, or predominantly orange.

"BIOLOGICAL HAZARD" - Fluorescent orange.

The full OSHA standard can be found at this link. The ANSI standard (ANSI Z535.1-2006) is available for purchase from ANSI and a number of other sources.

In addition, a variety of vendors offer luminescent border tapes, as well as tapes in checkerboard and zebra striped patterns. And remember to consider color-contrast when creating signs with text or numbers. Black on yellow is the most readable color combination, followed by yellow on black. Studies have shown that in a field of color, the human eye is first drawn to yellow.

Getting Started with the Library as Visual Workplace

In her introductory article on visual workplace concepts, author Tonya Vinas relays five actions from expert Gwendolyn Galsworth that will help any organization get started:

1. Do some basic reading on visual workplace concepts.
2. Gather visual-making supplies, signs, and bins.
3. Review work areas and habits. Look for unnecessary motions and searches for tools or information.
4. Indentify permanent locations for and make the answer a visual solution.
5. Talk up improvements and show others.

Read the complete article "Go Visual" in the October 2006 issue of Material Handling Management.

Visual Order with 5S

One of the foundations of the visual workplace is visual order. Visual order is achieved through implementation of the 5S method. The 5S method was developed by the authors of the Toyota Production System to improve factory organization and productivity. 5S translates into the following principles:

1. Sort (Seiri) – Sort and clear the work area
2. Set In Order (Seiton) – Organize and designate locations
3. Shine (Seiso) – Cleanliness & appearance
4. Standardize (Seiketsu) – Everyone performs the same way
5. Sustain (Shitsuke) – Maintain the first four principles

For a good introductory article on 5S (and 7S) principles, see Scott Ellis' February 2004 article "Seeing is Believing" published in Paperboard Packaging. Mr. Ellis is also the author of The Visual Workplace Handbook, (Outskirts Press, 2008).

Visual Basics - 4 Types of Visual Devices in Libraries

In her books on the Visual Workplace, Gwendolyn Galsworth describes a hierarchy of four categories of visual devices. She offers the following definition - A visual device is an apparatus, mechanism, or thing that influences, directs, limits, or controls behavior by making information vital to the task at hand available at a glance, without speaking a word. Libraries and archives are full of these devices:

1. Visual Indicator - (tells only)
New Books area; Exit Sign
2. Visual Signal - (grabs attention)
ASK ME Desk illuminated sign; Security Gate alarm and light; Book cart “Ready to Shelve” sign (kanban device)
3. Visual Control - (limits behavior)
Hand-truck parking lines; Newspaper display shelves
4. Visual Guarantee - (allows correct response only)
Computer logins and passwords; Recycle bins (poka-yoke devices)

For more on Visual Devices, see Galsworth's Visual Systems pp.26-39, and Visual Workplace p. 14.

How I Got Interested in the Visual Workplace

While re-reading my favorite book about leadership vs. management (John Kotter's A Force for Change, 1990), I ran across an entry about communication in the chapter on aligning people. The author was discussing how strong and innovative methods of communication are always found in successful leadership stories. On page 55, he relates the use of charts in busy hallways and on the production floor. I liked this idea, so I started to search around for relevant books and articles. I quickly came across the broader notion of visual management, and the visual workplace. I started thinking about the application of these concepts to libraries and archives. The more I read and learned, the more correlations and examples I discovered. And before I knew it, the blog was born . . .