This is a map of Los Angeles International Airport. LAX is located 18 miles southwest of Downtown LA and is the 5th busiest airport in the world. Looking at this 3D map, three principles immediately comes to mind: Ockham’s Razor, Wayfinding, and Color.
One can imagine how complex it is to design a map of LAX or alike. The map depicted below shows application of Ockham’s Razor principle which emphasizes simplicity is always preferred over complex designs. The absence of landscape, 3D rendering of structures, minimal color choices illustrates efficiency and simplicity of this map.
Next, wayfinding principle. The map also successfully allows navigability in the space showing location of a theme building, terminals, control tower and parking structures. The Arrival and Departure routes are specified with arrows to indicate orientation and destination recognition in the environment. The map further reveals diagram key for clear and consistent identities.
The third principle I noticed was color. Primary colors of blue and red are used to direct importance of Arrival and Departure areas. The more muted colors of terminals indicated they are all alike. The limited palette of colors used in the map relieve the complexity of Los Angeles airport.
