In 2017 information screens at Sheremetyevo Airport started showing all text in both Russian and Chinese. Despite the obvious advantages for Chinese travelers, Russian passengers experienced a problem.
They had to wait the endless ten seconds for the screen to switch from showing obscure hieroglyphs back to Russian.
Information screens where Russian text never goes away were developed at the studio.
再也不需要等候了。
工作室研制开发出信息显示版，其上的俄文绝不会从屏幕上消失。
∞
Text in two languages is displayed at all times: Russian and English or Chinese.
显示屏上总是显示两种语言 – 俄文和英文或中文。
Full information about flights is shown in Russian. English and Chinese alternate in special blocks (and any other language can be added if needed).
Russian-speaking passengers can instantly find their flight, while passengers from China and English-speaking countries have to wait just half the time!
Introduction of a new block containing the name of the destination city took up some screen space, which is why the layout had to become more dense and contain more visual accents.
The design takes into account various types of screens (departures, arrivals, baggage claim), as well as all possible combination of additional notes and long city names.
Cities and terminals are emphasized with bold typeface. Flight numbers were made slightly smaller because finding a city is easier than finding a number.
Codeshare flights on a single line
The main problem of all information screens are codeshare flights (flights for which several airlines sell tickets). Since such flights have different codes for each airline, they end up taking several rows in the menu.
Visual hell
On Sheremetyevo information screens such flights take only a single line as all flight codes are listed in a single row below the destination name.
Looks neat and saves precious screen space
Information screens in Sheremetyevo are installed in groups of six, showing around 160 flights altogether. How can you find what you’re looking for in this chaos?
We came up with such an obvious solution that we couldn’t believe it’s not being used in any other airport in the world. All flights are grouped by time!
Instead of going through all flights, passengers need to find their flight in a single hour block.
Say, a person is late for a flight. All shivering with anger, they are getting ready to search for their flight on the departure board. Suddenly, they notice the hour blocks, instantly find the 11 pm block that they need and locate the destination within that short list. Incredibly quick!
Say, a person is late for a flight. All shivering with anger, they are getting ready to search for their flight on the departure board. Suddenly, they notice the hour blocks, instantly find the 11 pm block that they need and locate the destination within that short list. Incredibly quick!
11 pm block
And within it
Chelyabinsk
Terminal D, gates 48–53
Date is appended for flights leaving after midnight, making search even easier
“My god, how convenient!” thinks the passenger and wishes all the best to the studio’s designers who came up with this wonderful system.
Or doesn’t, and simply walks to the gate without wasting any more time.
Accents
All elements on the screens are designed to make finding information quicker. The column with the Russian name of the city is the brightest. Columns for terminal numbers and notes are slightly toned down. The rest of the information is even darker.
Russian name of the city is the brightest
Screen title. It’s huge.
The title is shown only on the first screen but because of its size it attracts attention and can be read from a distance.
The rest of the space is taken by flight information.
Gate screens have also changed
Gate screens are decorated with photos of destination cities and are designed in a way that ensures all important information can be seen from a distance.
We’re going to Lisbon!
Photos were made for all directions serviced by the airport!
Even when there is no text showing on the screen, a photo of the city tells the passenger that they are at the correct gate.
Flight status is the most conspicuous block after city name. It’s highlighted with bright orange background.
Every possible flight status is illustrated with a pictogram that conveys its meaning without words.
The new screens help distribute passenger flows.
Priority boarding? Please follow here
Information screens also greet arriving passengers and help them find their way.
