Experiential Graphic Design: Informing, Inspiring, and Integrating People in Physical Spaces—A Review

Abstract

Experiential graphic design (XGD) has increased in importance over the past decade, with technological advances and a focus on user engagement. While the acronym XGD has been used for years, many practitioners prefer the older acronym, EGD, which stands for environmental graphic design. XGD, however, more accurately reflects the field’s scope, which combines multiple design disciplines to enhance user experience through the visual interpretation of ideas in physical spaces. The objective of this study was to perform an extensive bibliometric analysis of the existing literature on XGD topics across a wide range of spatial contexts, with particular emphasis on open public spaces and enclosed architectural environments, structured around four research questions related to the following: (1) foundational studies and the evolution of the literature, (2) the main keywords and research trends, (3) XGD application environments, and (4) XGD’s key roles. The methodology involved analyzing 245 records on the XGD topic from the Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases, following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). Based on a comprehensive review of the literature, this study offers a general overview of XGD, exploring its applications across different built environments. In addition, it pairs theoretical concepts with practical examples to demonstrate XGD’s key roles, highlighting current trends, future developments, and the need to establish educational frameworks in the XGD field.