For over 150 years Great Ormond Street has been and remains one of the world’s leading children's hospitals, offering the highest levels of medical care to children. Over that time the hospital has grown to encompass many buildings across one site, all of which make it very difficult for visitors, patients, and staff to find their way around. Due to a major redevelopment program due to open in 2012, Great Ormond Street felt it was the perfect opportunity to review the way-finding and signage strategy.

The new theme and way finding system at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital provide clear direction in ways children understand, and animal characters appealing to all ages of the Hospital’s patients provide therapeutic distraction throughout the journey. Not just how to get there, but entertainment, education and a community of friends.We split floors into natural habitats from living in the oceans (lower ground floor) to living in the skies (top floor). Our work has had a positive response from patients and families and the client is delighted with the new system, which will be implemented throughout the hospital as new buildings open.

‘We are delighted with the 'Natural World' wayfinding system that the consultancy created for Great Ormond Street Hospital. It met the exact brief we supplied in that it provides clear direction for visitors to find their way around the hospital and a charming and welcome distraction for our very young patients and their families. It engages adults and children on various levels and the personalities of the animals really shine through. Everyone we have shown the work to has been incredibly impressed and enthused - including our supporters, architects, staff and, of course, our patients.’ Lesley Miles, Director of Marketing, Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity