Through its research endeavors, Mijksenaar Lab aims to bridge the gap between the creative practice of design and the science of wayfinding.

We drive independent research and innovation initiatives, partnering with specialized educational and knowledge institutes. Additionally, we undertake commissioned research projects, investigating how visitors’ present or future wayfinding journeys could be enhanced.

Our approach encompasses a variety of methods, including experiments conducted in laboratory settings, testing of mock-ups and prototypes in real-world environments, observational studies and interviews, online surveys, and more. We actively collaborate with universities and other research institutions to ensure the optimal alignment of expertise with robust research methodologies.

If you’re interested in collaborating or learning more about our research projects, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

We offer a range of educational programs, varying from single workshops to extended courses for students, design professionals, and clients.

Wayfinding is a discipline often overlooked in traditional academic settings. However, its significance is increasingly acknowledged, driving a growing demand for specialized professionals. Mijksenaar Lab offers a range of educational programs tailored to diverse needs, varying from single workshops and lectures to extended courses for students, design professionals, and clients. For facility managers seeking practical insights, we offer hands-on courses rich in practical tips and illustrative examples for effective wayfinding project management.

Our educational approach underscores the multidisciplinary essence of wayfinding. Through a blend of theoretical foundations delivered via lectures, curated reading materials, and interactive group discussions, we provide a robust framework for understanding. Moreover, we enrich learning experiences with real-world applications from our extensive wayfinding portfolio.

Whether you’re interested in a guest lecture, a condensed one-day immersion, or a comprehensive program, we invite you to reach out and explore the possibilities of delving deeper into the world of wayfinding with us.

At Mijksenaar Lab, our team is a dynamic and evolving collective of Mijksenaar employees and interns. Rather than a fixed team, Mijksenaar Lab operates with a fluid roster of experts who rotate in and out based on the demands of specific projects and their unique areas of expertise. This approach allows us to bring the best minds together to tackle diverse challenges in research, development, and education.

The Lab is led by researcher, psychologist, designer and wayfinding expert Fenne Roefs,  ensuring continuity and excellence across all initiatives. Currently pursuing her PhD at VU University, Fenne is focused on further developing her skills as a researcher and broadening our connections to the academic world, which in turn strengthens the Lab’s innovative capabilities.

Additionally, we welcome interns from various backgrounds, enriching our team with fresh perspectives and the latest academic insights. This blend of rotating professionals and permanent leadership enables Mijksenaar Lab to remain at the forefront of wayfinding innovation.

Dutch beaches attracts millions of visitors every year, both from the Netherlands and abroad. Many come to cool off in the sea, to swim, play, or enjoy water sports. The sea is popular, but can be dangerous as well. Each year, dozens of people drown, and many more are rescued by lifeguards. Every year, dozens of people drown, and lifeguards rescue many more from the water. Clear communication about potential dangers and advice on safe behaviour is therefore essential.

Mijksenaar Lab and VU Amsterdam developed and tested new designs for beach safety flags that inform visitors on site about the current safety situation.

We designed and tested pictograms for the beach flags to make their meaning instantly clear. And they proved highly effective: people understood the flags much better and reported safer behavioral intentions. Several studies led to the introduction of five new beach flags, which will soon be flying all along the Dutch coastline. A fantastic milestone, that we hope will make beaches safer for everyone.

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Every day, around 275,000 people travel on the Amsterdam metro – a diverse group with varying levels of language proficiency and experience. To help them find their way, the metro system uses carefully designed signage. But does this system work for all passengers, including those who don’t speak Dutch or struggle with reading?

To answer that question, the regional transport authority Vervoerregio Amsterdam (VRA) asked Mijksenaar to investigate. Together with our partners, we conducted user research with people from three key groups: non-Dutch speakers, people with low literacy, and people with a mild intellectual disability. We tested three different types of signs: the current Dutch text-only version, a version with only pictograms, and a version combining Dutch text with pictograms and some English terms.

The results showed that the combination signs worked best: participants accurately performed navigation tasks, felt more confident, and preferred this version overall. At the same time, some warned that too much information on a single sign could lead to clutter, especially in busy metro environments. These insights led to a carefully balanced new design.

The updated signs retain the familiar Dutch terms but now include a limited number of pictograms and two English additions (Exit and Subway). To avoid clutter, each line includes no more than one pictogram, and only for destinations where confusion was most likely, namely exits, metro, and lifts.

By keeping the layout simple and staying within the existing design system, the new signs are both user-friendly and easy to implement. In May 2025, the first signs in the new style were installed at Amstelveenseweg station – a first step towards more inclusive wayfinding in the Amsterdam metro.

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Beach Flags:

https://www.mijksenaar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-Juli-MijksenaarLab_Vlaggen_Eng.pdf

Metro Signs:

https://www.mijksenaar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ENG_2025-June_-MijksenaarLab_MetroSign-1.pdf