projectsexpertiseaboutinsightcontact
menu
close
projectsexpertiseaboutinsightcontact
search
careersprivacy policy
Applied Information Group
+44 207 017 8488info@appliedinformation.group

insight

all
news
opinion
deep dive
press
read article
featured
The COVID-19 design toolkit
The definitive system for social distancing

It’s great that we have started emerging from full lockdown, but the subsequent increase in COVID-19 cases has resulted in cities around the world heading back into strict lockdown with the understanding that we may have to live with social distancing for a year or more.

There has been a great deal of confusion surrounding the rules and messages surrounding social distancing, with governments around the world using a variety of methods to try and control infection rates. Often the tactics they employ are draconian, and indiscriminate, but unfortunately necessary.

The simple calculation is that if we can deliver social distancing successfully, then we can avoid more of these strict measures. Post-lockdown rules are not simple, and there is plenty of confusion with different messages and a cacophony of signs often describing the same thing in different ways. The overarching question is, are these messages and signs effective?

With our expert understanding of human behaviour in the built environment, we’ve thought about how we can help end the confusion around social distancing. Our response is the development of the COVID-19 Design Toolkit. It has been created for governments, public, and private sector organisations help the public, to practice social distancing effectively.

It tackles two issues that at first glance might not be obvious. Firstly, it’s not enough to have the right content on a sign to be effective it also has to be in the right place. Secondly, We only need one standard. It’s counter-productive to create multiple versions and ways of signing. We only use one road sign system for good reason, and it becomes the authority.

The COVID-19 Design Toolkit has three parts:

A grounding in the science of transmission and the practice of behaviour change.
A comprehensive set of guidelines to allow you to plan and implement best-practice quickly.
Ready-made sign designs, editable templates, and a universal icon set.
The Toolkit will allow you to place signs in the best locations and will allow many organisations to personalise, while still collaborating to support one standard.

For these reasons, we felt the best chance to be effective is if we published our knowledge for everyone to use.

The guidelines are free to download via www.covid19designtoolkit.com.

The design resources and templates are also available to purchase via the website for a nominal fee which helps to support the development of the Toolkit and future, specialised versions.

When you have looked through the Toolkit, please talk to us if you require any further explanation or help. We plan to update and add sections and versions when needs arise. If you want to help, please let us know.

If we coordinate and collaborate, we can get through this.

Thank you,

Tim Fendley,

CEO & Creative Director of Applied

‍

‍

featured
•
9
Oct
2020
read article →
read article
Bloomberg Behind the Design
The recent Bloomberg episode of Behind the Design zooms in on wayfinding and human’s ability to find their way around places
press
•
22
Sep
2021
visit site ↗
Bloomberg Behind the Design
↗
The recent Bloomberg episode of Behind the Design zooms in on wayfinding and human’s ability to find their way around places
press
•
22
Sep
2021
read article
Design in Public interview Adrian Bell
Discover how Seattle Design Festival's theme EMERGE plays a role in design and wayfinding
press
•
26
Aug
2021
visit site ↗
Design in Public interview Adrian Bell
↗
Discover how Seattle Design Festival's theme EMERGE plays a role in design and wayfinding
press
•
26
Aug
2021
read article
Designing Cities for a Post Pandemic World
Listen to Intelligence Squared Business Podcast with Tim Fendley and Linda Yueh for a conversation about post-pandemic cities
press
•
4
Jun
2021
visit site ↗
Designing Cities for a Post Pandemic World
↗
Listen to Intelligence Squared Business Podcast with Tim Fendley and Linda Yueh for a conversation about post-pandemic cities
press
•
4
Jun
2021
read article
Covid-19 warning colors around the world
Applied's Tim Fendley talks to Quartz about the colourful and confusing covid-19 warning used around the world
press
•
6
May
2021
visit site ↗
Covid-19 warning colors around the world
↗
Applied's Tim Fendley talks to Quartz about the colourful and confusing covid-19 warning used around the world
press
•
6
May
2021
read article
Talking Headways Podcast: City Legibility and Wayfinding
Tim Fendley joins Jeff Wood to talk about wayfinding, people’s ability to read maps, and giving people the confidence to get lost.
news
•
11
Mar
2021
visit site ↗
Talking Headways Podcast: City Legibility and Wayfinding
↗
Tim Fendley joins Jeff Wood to talk about wayfinding, people’s ability to read maps, and giving people the confidence to get lost.
news
•
11
Mar
2021
read article
User-centred and inclusive design workshop at Reading University
Applied virtually visited Reading University to deliver an inclusive design workshop
news
•
24
Feb
2021
visit site ↗
User-centred and inclusive design workshop at Reading University
↗
Applied virtually visited Reading University to deliver an inclusive design workshop
news
•
24
Feb
2021
read article
The Urbanist episode all about mobility innovation
Listen to The Urbanist podcast with Tim Fendley describing the challenges for transit in the Bay Area and how good wayfinding can help
press
•
14
Jan
2021
visit site ↗
The Urbanist episode all about mobility innovation
↗
Listen to The Urbanist podcast with Tim Fendley describing the challenges for transit in the Bay Area and how good wayfinding can help
press
•
14
Jan
2021
read article
Pioneer of modern information design
Margaret Calvert, the designer’s 1964 UK road system still points the way for modern information designs, writes Tim Fendley in ICON’s winter issue.
deep dive
•
1
Dec
2020
visit site ↗
Pioneer of modern information design
↗
Margaret Calvert, the designer’s 1964 UK road system still points the way for modern information designs, writes Tim Fendley in ICON’s winter issue.
deep dive
•
1
Dec
2020
read article
Applied to open up Thames Path with new wayfinding scheme
A wayfinding & connectivity strategy for London’s Tower-of-London-to-Canning-Town pedestrian attraction
news
•
2
Nov
2020
visit site ↗
Applied to open up Thames Path with new wayfinding scheme
↗
A wayfinding & connectivity strategy for London’s Tower-of-London-to-Canning-Town pedestrian attraction
news
•
2
Nov
2020
read article
Monocle on Design – Finding a way
Tim Fendley, founder and Creative Director at Applied Information Group, appears on Monocle on Design
press
•
24
Sep
2020
visit site ↗
Monocle on Design – Finding a way
↗
Tim Fendley, founder and Creative Director at Applied Information Group, appears on Monocle on Design
press
•
24
Sep
2020
read article
A graphic toolkit to encourage social distancing
Surface mag features Applied’s COVID-19 Design Toolkit
press
•
31
Aug
2020
visit site ↗
A graphic toolkit to encourage social distancing
↗
Surface mag features Applied’s COVID-19 Design Toolkit
press
•
31
Aug
2020
read article
COVID-19 design toolkit for social distancing and wayfinding
Read the arch daily article on the COVID-19 design toolkit for social distancing
press
•
20
Aug
2020
visit site ↗
COVID-19 design toolkit for social distancing and wayfinding
↗
Read the arch daily article on the COVID-19 design toolkit for social distancing
press
•
20
Aug
2020
read article
Commitment to the office
The rise of remote working doesn’t keep Google from continuing with their London offices
opinion
•
29
Jul
2020
visit site ↗
Commitment to the office
↗
The rise of remote working doesn’t keep Google from continuing with their London offices
opinion
•
29
Jul
2020
read article
The Urbanist – reading the signs
Monocle invites Tim Fendley to talk about the world of wayfinding and city signage
press
•
2
Jul
2020
visit site ↗
The Urbanist – reading the signs
↗
Monocle invites Tim Fendley to talk about the world of wayfinding and city signage
press
•
2
Jul
2020
read article
Legible London: The effective wayfinding system that creates ‘readable’ cities
Designwanted explores the logic, application, and design behind the Legible London wayfinding
press
•
24
Jun
2020
visit site ↗
Legible London: The effective wayfinding system that creates ‘readable’ cities
↗
Designwanted explores the logic, application, and design behind the Legible London wayfinding
press
•
24
Jun
2020
read article
Reprogramming the amygdala
Port magazine publish Tim Fendley’s thoughts on how wayfinding can tackle COVID-19 challenges
press
•
24
Jun
2020
visit site ↗
Reprogramming the amygdala
↗
Port magazine publish Tim Fendley’s thoughts on how wayfinding can tackle COVID-19 challenges
press
•
24
Jun
2020
read article
Navigating our way to a less complex world with Tim Fendley
Designwanted interview Tim Fendley about how you transform people’s experiences
press
•
22
Jun
2020
visit site ↗
Navigating our way to a less complex world with Tim Fendley
↗
Designwanted interview Tim Fendley about how you transform people’s experiences
press
•
22
Jun
2020
read article
The sophisticated design behind a simple coronavirus sign
Quartz at work explores Applied’s COVID-19 signs and the thinking behind the effective design
press
•
3
Jun
2020
visit site ↗
The sophisticated design behind a simple coronavirus sign
↗
Quartz at work explores Applied’s COVID-19 signs and the thinking behind the effective design
press
•
3
Jun
2020
read article
Can the pandemic help us plan better cities?
Adrian Bell, transport expert and Director of Planning of Applied North America, explores how COVID-19 might impact and reshape city transportation
opinion
•
1
Jun
2020
visit site ↗
Can the pandemic help us plan better cities?
↗
Adrian Bell, transport expert and Director of Planning of Applied North America, explores how COVID-19 might impact and reshape city transportation
opinion
•
1
Jun
2020
read article
Sentosa wins 2020 IIID Award
Applied’s wayfinding scheme for Sentosa Island, Singapore’s premier destination, receives design award
news
•
1
Jun
2020
visit site ↗
Sentosa wins 2020 IIID Award
↗
Applied’s wayfinding scheme for Sentosa Island, Singapore’s premier destination, receives design award
news
•
1
Jun
2020
read article
What will your post-lockdown commute look like?
Applied founder Tim Fendley appears in Vogue to talk about the future of commuting
press
•
30
May
2020
visit site ↗
What will your post-lockdown commute look like?
↗
Applied founder Tim Fendley appears in Vogue to talk about the future of commuting
press
•
30
May
2020
read article
A wayfinding emergency
Lack of wayfinding was causing difficulties for key workers and volunteers to find their way to Bath’s Royal United Hospital, a collaborative effort amongst committed stakeholders has been the solution
news
•
5
May
2020
visit site ↗
A wayfinding emergency
↗
Lack of wayfinding was causing difficulties for key workers and volunteers to find their way to Bath’s Royal United Hospital, a collaborative effort amongst committed stakeholders has been the solution
news
•
5
May
2020
read article
Choreographing the coronavirus dance
Techniques exist of how to reduce friction
deep dive
•
22
Apr
2020
visit site ↗
Choreographing the coronavirus dance
↗
Techniques exist of how to reduce friction
deep dive
•
22
Apr
2020
read article
New signage could make Seattle more accessible for pedestrians with disabilities
Crossnut interview Applied’s Adrian Bell on Applied’s Seamless Seattle wayfinding strategy
press
•
18
Dec
2019
visit site ↗
New signage could make Seattle more accessible for pedestrians with disabilities
↗
Crossnut interview Applied’s Adrian Bell on Applied’s Seamless Seattle wayfinding strategy
press
•
18
Dec
2019
read article
Universal signage: The first step in making cities more accessible
Archdaily cover Applied’s Leer Madrid, and talks about the next steps in making cities accessible
press
•
8
Aug
2019
visit site ↗
Universal signage: The first step in making cities more accessible
↗
Archdaily cover Applied’s Leer Madrid, and talks about the next steps in making cities accessible
press
•
8
Aug
2019
read article
Cycle Active City Conference 2018
A review of this year’s on-show schemes
deep dive
•
2
Jul
2018
visit site ↗
Cycle Active City Conference 2018
↗
A review of this year’s on-show schemes
deep dive
•
2
Jul
2018
read article
Wayfinding design projects in urban contexts
Flows, the online publication focussing on mobility, interviewed Tim Fendley on Applied’s approach to multimodal wayfinding
press
•
14
Jun
2018
visit site ↗
Wayfinding design projects in urban contexts
↗
Flows, the online publication focussing on mobility, interviewed Tim Fendley on Applied’s approach to multimodal wayfinding
press
•
14
Jun
2018
read article
Walkability and wayfinding
Like two peas in a pod, wayfinding and walking encourages a culture of active urban mobility and can elevate life quality
opinion
•
3
Mar
2017
visit site ↗
Walkability and wayfinding
↗
Like two peas in a pod, wayfinding and walking encourages a culture of active urban mobility and can elevate life quality
opinion
•
3
Mar
2017
read article
A Q&A with Erik Spiekermann
The typography legend answers a few questions from the Applied studio
deep dive
•
18
Jan
2017
visit site ↗
A Q&A with Erik Spiekermann
↗
The typography legend answers a few questions from the Applied studio
deep dive
•
18
Jan
2017
read article
A new era for transportation in the United States
The USDOT FHWA’s Strategic Agenda for Pedestrian and Bicycle Transportation
opinion
•
15
Sep
2016
visit site ↗
A new era for transportation in the United States
↗
The USDOT FHWA’s Strategic Agenda for Pedestrian and Bicycle Transportation
opinion
•
15
Sep
2016
read article
Downtown Edmonton installs first interim street signs
A step forward towards Applied’s vision for permanent wayfinding across Edmonton, Alberta
news
•
7
Sep
2016
visit site ↗
Downtown Edmonton installs first interim street signs
↗
A step forward towards Applied’s vision for permanent wayfinding across Edmonton, Alberta
news
•
7
Sep
2016
read article
Alexandria, Virginia appoints Applied for new parks wayfinding initiative
New wayfinding will support the Alexandria's Citywide Parks Improvement Plan
news
•
23
Aug
2016
visit site ↗
Alexandria, Virginia appoints Applied for new parks wayfinding initiative
↗
New wayfinding will support the Alexandria's Citywide Parks Improvement Plan
news
•
23
Aug
2016
read article
Ben Acornley interviewed by Hola, Design for All
Applied’s Creative Director talks about our inclusive design approach
press
•
16
Jun
2016
visit site ↗
Ben Acornley interviewed by Hola, Design for All
↗
Applied’s Creative Director talks about our inclusive design approach
press
•
16
Jun
2016
read article
Tim Fendley makes second appearance on Skylines
CityMetric hosts Jonn Elledge and Barbara Speed discuss everything from urbanisation, politics, maps and transportation
opinion
•
13
May
2016
visit site ↗
Tim Fendley makes second appearance on Skylines
↗
CityMetric hosts Jonn Elledge and Barbara Speed discuss everything from urbanisation, politics, maps and transportation
opinion
•
13
May
2016
read article
National Gallery set to overhaul website and wayfinding
Design Week announces Applied’s appointment as lead on The National Gallery in London’s wayfinding redesign project
press
•
9
May
2016
visit site ↗
National Gallery set to overhaul website and wayfinding
↗
Design Week announces Applied’s appointment as lead on The National Gallery in London’s wayfinding redesign project
press
•
9
May
2016
read article
Tim Fendley talks maps on Skylines podcast
Applied Founding Director appears on the ‘You are Here’ episode of City Metric’s Skylines podcast series.
news
•
14
Mar
2016
visit site ↗
Tim Fendley talks maps on Skylines podcast
↗
Applied Founding Director appears on the ‘You are Here’ episode of City Metric’s Skylines podcast series.
news
•
14
Mar
2016
read article
Innovate UK’s Future Cities Challenge
The challenge champions innovation, improvement and sustainability
deep dive
•
20
Feb
2016
visit site ↗
Innovate UK’s Future Cities Challenge
↗
The challenge champions innovation, improvement and sustainability
deep dive
•
20
Feb
2016
read article
Applied recognised with prestigious Queen’s Award
The Queen’s Award for Enterprise acknowledges Applied Information Group’s efforts in expanding internationally
news
•
25
Jan
2016
visit site ↗
Applied recognised with prestigious Queen’s Award
↗
The Queen’s Award for Enterprise acknowledges Applied Information Group’s efforts in expanding internationally
news
•
25
Jan
2016
read article
Applied to design wayfinding for the National Gallery
This appointment comes as the National Gallery announces an overhaul of their current website, digital services and wayfinding system
news
•
5
Jan
2016
visit site ↗
Applied to design wayfinding for the National Gallery
↗
This appointment comes as the National Gallery announces an overhaul of their current website, digital services and wayfinding system
news
•
5
Jan
2016
read article
Connecting the Dots of Toronto’s transit system
Applied’s Tim Fendley presented alongside KerrSmith’s Helen Kerr to introduce the idea of wayfinding harmonization in Canada’s largest city
news
•
1
Nov
2015
visit site ↗
Connecting the Dots of Toronto’s transit system
↗
Applied’s Tim Fendley presented alongside KerrSmith’s Helen Kerr to introduce the idea of wayfinding harmonization in Canada’s largest city
news
•
1
Nov
2015
read article
What next for Legible Cities?
Tim Fendley tells all about the future of Legible Cities
deep dive
•
1
Oct
2015
visit site ↗
What next for Legible Cities?
↗
Tim Fendley tells all about the future of Legible Cities
deep dive
•
1
Oct
2015
read article
Storytelling in urban wayfinding
Ben Acornley, Partner and Creative Director at Applied Information Group, was interviewed by University of Reading PhD student Shiho Asada
deep dive
•
21
Sep
2015
visit site ↗
Storytelling in urban wayfinding
↗
Ben Acornley, Partner and Creative Director at Applied Information Group, was interviewed by University of Reading PhD student Shiho Asada
deep dive
•
21
Sep
2015
read article
Mapping our London at #LDF15
The Applied team joins 25 of London’s top design studios to create a limited edition print of how we see London
news
•
15
Sep
2015
visit site ↗
Mapping our London at #LDF15
↗
The Applied team joins 25 of London’s top design studios to create a limited edition print of how we see London
news
•
15
Sep
2015
read article
Mapping the City: Applied’s take on an exhibition at Somerset House
Applied Designer, Chris Bounds draws inspiration from the exhibition’s different view of maps
opinion
•
1
Sep
2015
visit site ↗
Mapping the City: Applied’s take on an exhibition at Somerset House
↗
Applied Designer, Chris Bounds draws inspiration from the exhibition’s different view of maps
opinion
•
1
Sep
2015
read article
Tim Fendley speaks at Small Talks
Applied’s CEO and Creative Director appears at Made by Many’s event to talk about the Legible London design process
news
•
1
Jul
2015
visit site ↗
Tim Fendley speaks at Small Talks
↗
Applied’s CEO and Creative Director appears at Made by Many’s event to talk about the Legible London design process
news
•
1
Jul
2015
read article
Travelling into the Future: Work in Progress
The Design Museum’s event sees topics ranging from the pedestrian and bike to the controversial jetpack and driverless car
opinion
•
10
Jun
2015
visit site ↗
Travelling into the Future: Work in Progress
↗
The Design Museum’s event sees topics ranging from the pedestrian and bike to the controversial jetpack and driverless car
opinion
•
10
Jun
2015
read article
Legible London versus Islington
Applied Partner & Director of Planning, Richard Simón, compares on-street signage in London
opinion
•
1
Jun
2015
visit site ↗
Legible London versus Islington
↗
Applied Partner & Director of Planning, Richard Simón, compares on-street signage in London
opinion
•
1
Jun
2015
read article
Vancouver’s ‘living map’ looks ahead with Applied
A network of 200+ map stands will now feature detailed maps and directional information designed by Applied Information Group
news
•
1
May
2015
visit site ↗
Vancouver’s ‘living map’ looks ahead with Applied
↗
A network of 200+ map stands will now feature detailed maps and directional information designed by Applied Information Group
news
•
1
May
2015
read article
Tim Fendley to speak at SEGD event in San Francisco
The wayfinding event of the year will take place on April 24
news
•
2
Apr
2015
visit site ↗
Tim Fendley to speak at SEGD event in San Francisco
↗
The wayfinding event of the year will take place on April 24
news
•
2
Apr
2015
read article
Applied opens in New York City
The Manhattan office has been established to expand and service Applied’s growing number of clients in North and South America
news
•
1
Apr
2015
visit site ↗
Applied opens in New York City
↗
The Manhattan office has been established to expand and service Applied’s growing number of clients in North and South America
news
•
1
Apr
2015
read article
Applied wins silver and bronze IIID Award
Four projects are recognised at the prestigious 2015 awards
news
•
28
Jan
2015
visit site ↗
Applied wins silver and bronze IIID Award
↗
Four projects are recognised at the prestigious 2015 awards
news
•
28
Jan
2015
read article
Applied to design Springfield’s new wayfinding system
Applied Information Group has been contracted by the City of Springfield, Massachusetts, to design a pedestrian wayfinding system for the Downtown district
news
•
27
Jan
2015
visit site ↗
Applied to design Springfield’s new wayfinding system
↗
Applied Information Group has been contracted by the City of Springfield, Massachusetts, to design a pedestrian wayfinding system for the Downtown district
news
•
27
Jan
2015
read article
Designing for the contemporary city
Tim Fendley joins a room full of interaction designers to discuss the human scale and making the city more visible
opinion
•
17
Jan
2015
visit site ↗
Designing for the contemporary city
↗
Tim Fendley joins a room full of interaction designers to discuss the human scale and making the city more visible
opinion
•
17
Jan
2015
read article
Applied’s theory on voting tendencies for South Thanet
A telling set of political party symbols to put you on the right path before the election
opinion
•
13
Jan
2015
visit site ↗
Applied’s theory on voting tendencies for South Thanet
↗
A telling set of political party symbols to put you on the right path before the election
opinion
•
13
Jan
2015
read article
Legible London shortlisted in TfL’s Design Icon competition
The city-wide pedestrian wayfinding system is recognised as one of the best icons of London transport design
news
•
9
Jan
2015
visit site ↗
Legible London shortlisted in TfL’s Design Icon competition
↗
The city-wide pedestrian wayfinding system is recognised as one of the best icons of London transport design
news
•
9
Jan
2015
read article
Dongdaemun Design Plaza wins SEGD award
Applied’s work in Seoul, in collaboration with our partners YiEUM, receives recognition from the Society for Experiential Graphic Design
news
•
7
Jan
2015
visit site ↗
Dongdaemun Design Plaza wins SEGD award
↗
Applied’s work in Seoul, in collaboration with our partners YiEUM, receives recognition from the Society for Experiential Graphic Design
news
•
7
Jan
2015
read article
A comprehensive look at Legible London
A breakdown of Applied’s award-winning city wayfinding project
deep dive
•
19
Dec
2014
visit site ↗
A comprehensive look at Legible London
↗
A breakdown of Applied’s award-winning city wayfinding project
deep dive
•
19
Dec
2014
read article
Cleveland lights the way with wayfinding by Applied
Destination Cleveland installs its first prototype signs in first step towards city-wide rollout
news
•
14
Nov
2014
visit site ↗
Cleveland lights the way with wayfinding by Applied
↗
Destination Cleveland installs its first prototype signs in first step towards city-wide rollout
news
•
14
Nov
2014
read article
Place cells, wayfinding and the Nobel Prize
John O’Keefe’s place cell research and the creation of Legible London
deep dive
•
15
Oct
2014
visit site ↗
Place cells, wayfinding and the Nobel Prize
↗
John O’Keefe’s place cell research and the creation of Legible London
deep dive
•
15
Oct
2014
subscribe to our monthly newsletter The Pointer:
Thank you! You are now subscribed to Applied’s newsletter!
Oops! Something went wrong while subscribing, please try again or contact us!
back to top↑
Applied Information Group
+44 207 017 8488info@appliedinformation.group
©2003–2022 Applied Information Group
navigate
projectsexpertiseaboutinsightcontact
contact
LondonNew YorkVancouverMontréalSeoul
information
careersprivacy policyenvironmental policy
back to top↑