Deutsches Museum

Visitor wayfinding system

The Deutsches Museum Munich is an outstanding institution for the promotion of scientific and technological education, fostering a constructive dialogue between science and society. Founded in 1903, it is one of the most traditional and, with a floor space of 66,000 square meters, largest museums of its kind in the world. Since 2015, it has been undergoing extensive renovations, with exhibitions being completely redesigned. As the museum remains open throughout the construction period, visitor guidance is designed to be flexible and adaptable to varying spatial conditions.

The wayfinding system is intended to provide the international audience with a clear and easily understandable overview of the building’s complex structure and the diversity of its collections. Visitors can explore the exhibitions individually, either purposefully and directly or through intuitive wandering.

Deutsches Museum
Wayfind­ing in­ter­nal and ex­ter­nal area

Mu­nich 2015–2025

Client
Deutsches Museum

Area
66.000 sqm ex­hi­bi­tion space

Pho­tos
Stefan Schilling
Yohan Zerdoun (Exterior view of the museum)

Awards
Eu­ro­pean De­sign Awards 2017, bron­ze
Ico­nic Awards 2017, Win­ner
The Deutsches Museum Munich welcomes 1.4 million visitors annually and is one of the largest of its kind worldwide.
The many fascinating exhibitions can be easily located using clear and straightforward floor plans.
Highly frequented services, such as coat checks, restrooms, lounges, and the exit, are easy to locate through dedicated signage.

The design concept of the wayfinding and orientation system was inspired by technical and scientific graphics, such as circuit diagrams and the periodic table. This approach reflects the museum’s mission: to preserve and explain historical objects, convey knowledge in an engaging way, and, above all, spark curiosity.

For each of the more than 20 exhibitions, a unique pictogram was created to visually represent the theme at a glance. These are color-coded according to subject areas, enabling visitors to gain a clear overview of the museum’s extensive offerings. The museum’s unusually high density of exhibits is thus organized and made easily accessible.
The pictograms are an integral part of the entire wayfinding system, ensuring optimal orientation without language barriers. They appear on signage, floor plans, and even in the Deutsches Museum app. Large, three-dimensional pictograms mark the entrances to each exhibition and are visible from a distance.

The concept for the wayfinding system, implemented for both indoor and outdoor areas, was developed with the goal of providing the many visitors, including international guests, with clear guidance through the complex building structure, enabling them to navigate the entire museum independently.



The product design consists of individual modules. The pictograms can be combined into different clusters as needed, providing the necessary flexibility.
The geometric design language of the Deutsches Museum’s corporate design defines the wayfinding elements and graphics.
The modularity of the signage system allows for partial replacement of graphics, accommodating ongoing renovations as well as spontaneous changes in the daily schedule. This approach keeps costs deliberately low while conserving resources.
Three-dimensional pictograms serve as highly visible markers for the exhibitions from a distance.
Clear pictograms in the wayfinding system enable visitors to navigate intuitively.
So-called “comfort rules” ensure a positive communication of instructions and prohibitions. They are displayed, among other things, on screens where they appear in an animated form.
The museum is also heavily frequented by groups. Spacious lounge and service areas provide ample space. The signage is designed to be prominent in these areas.
Overviews of the entire exhibition offering help visitors navigate important decision points. The visual language is easily understandable, even for a young audience.