Wayfair Retail Maps
Designing a high-accuracy mapping system for live retail environments
Retail mapping system supporting in-store execution across print, digital, and device-based formats.
I designed and maintained a large-scale mapping system used to support in-store merchandising, stocking, and floor execution across Wayfair’s physical locations.
The maps powered Zebra devices used daily by store staff, making accuracy, adaptability, and clarity critical before, during, and after store launch.
Role: Retail Map Designer / Visual Systems
Tools: Adobe InDesign, Google Slides
Timeline: 6 months
Context: Physical retail, live store environment
The Challenge
This project required balancing design clarity with operational accuracy in a live retail environment.
The maps were used daily by multiple internal teams, including retail staff relying on Zebra devices to locate products, stock shelves, and execute floor plans. Store layouts changed frequently before, during, and after launch, requiring rapid updates without sacrificing precision. The complexity was amplified by the scale of the store itself. Dozens of departments and shops each had unique placement requirements, while the maps also needed to function consistently across print, digital, and device-based formats. Because these maps directly informed real-world execution, even small errors could disrupt store operations. Accuracy and clarity were non-negotiable.
Annotated view highlighting color standards, labeling rules, and department keys used to support accuracy at scale.
My Role
I was responsible for designing and maintaining the retail map system from early drafts through launch and ongoing updates.
Working from initial floor layouts as scale references, I reworked early map drafts created by retail visual designers into a cohesive, production-ready system. My focus extended beyond visual polish to ensuring the system could withstand constant revision without breaking.
The resulting map system was designed to be:
Clean and legible at multiple zoom levels
Easy to update as layouts changed
Visually consistent across departments and shops
Reliable under frequent, time-sensitive revisions
I also ensured the maps functioned within the technical constraints of Zebra devices and internal distribution tools, balancing readability, performance, and how the maps were actually used on the floor.
Solution: A System-First Approach
To manage complexity and reduce the risk of errors, I approached the work as a design system rather than a series of one-off deliverables.
Key decisions included:
Predefined color styles for departments and shops
Consistent typography and visual hierarchy
A standardized legend and key system
Modular components that could be reused and updated safely
The system was initially built in Adobe InDesign and later adapted into Google Slides templates so maps could be shared and updated across teams. This allowed changes to be applied quickly and consistently — especially important when last-minute updates were required.
Designing for Accuracy at Scale
Accuracy was critical, but the maps also needed to make sense when viewed on the floor.
These maps functioned as operational tools, not just visual references.
The Zebra system pulled directly from map information
Each placement represented a real instruction for store staff
Errors could lead to confusion, misplaced merchandise, or inefficiencies on the floor
Because of this, I prioritized:
Clear labeling and hierarchy
Color contrast that remained distinguishable in print and on devices
Thorough review before updates went live
This approach reduced risk and supported reliable execution in a live retail environment
The comparison below shows how early map drafts prioritized placement accuracy, while the final system preserved broader spatial context to support real-world orientation on the floor.
Designing for Physical Orientation
Early versions of the maps provided accurate placement information but limited spatial context beyond the immediate department. In practice, store staff viewing cropped sections while standing on the floor sometimes struggled to orient themselves within the larger store layout.
After walking the store in person prior to opening, I iterated on map orientation and context to better align with how employees physically navigated the space. Preserving surrounding layout references and maintaining a consistent orientation helped reduce confusion and improved in-store usability during execution.
Managing Constant Revisions
Revisions were frequent and ongoing. Maps continued to change leading up to launch, during opening, and after launch as layouts evolved.
Updates often needed to happen quickly and occasionally outside normal working hours. The underlying design system made it possible to respond efficiently while maintaining accuracy and consistency across all maps.
Rather than redesigning from scratch, changes could be applied globally and confidently, even under tight timelines.
Outcome & Impact
By the end of the project, the mapping system supported a large and complex retail environment:
28 maps
Each representing a unique layout with operational dependencies26 departments
Requiring consistent interpretation across teams115 shops
1,200+ individual placements
Each placement represented a real-world instruction for store staff
The maps were used during store opening and continued to support ongoing retail operations.
Reflection
This project reinforced how much real-world design depends on accuracy, structure, and follow-through. The maps needed to be clear not just on screen, but in use by people moving through a physical space under real time pressure.
Working in a live retail environment made tradeoffs very tangible. Speed mattered, but clarity and reliability mattered more. Having a strong underlying system made it possible to respond to change without introducing risk as layouts continued to evolve.
Map visuals have been modified or partially obscured to protect internal company information.