Way Finding in
The Last Forbidden Kingdom.
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Due to a lack of a proper wayfinding system; people often get lost in Nepal. With poor connectivity, unreliable and dated way finding methods, and a sparse population the mountains are hard to navigate.
Project Goal
This MA project aims to create a regional multilingual way finding system that can aid both locals and travelers find their way through the last forbidden kingdom of Lo. Located in the Himalayas of Nepal.
Statistical data from Nepal Tourism Board.
50
Search, & Rescue Services conducted every year by the Nepal Government.
15
15/50 people go missing annually. These people are never found even after being search for days.
Nepal Army Rescue Mission
October 31, 2025
Fifteen trekkers, including three British nationals, were rescued from the Dhaulagiri circuit after being trapped in heavy snowfall in the hidden mustang region. Read Article.
Real World Consequences.
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2026 MA Project
Pranuj Shrestha
Way Finding in The
Last Forbidden Kingdom.
Help understand how people navigate new places by completing this survey.
A Region-Specific Way Finding and Brand System for Mustang, Nepal.
Pranuj Shrestha [MA Design Innovation & Brand Management]
Real World Challenge
Due to a lack of a proper wayfinding system; people often get lost in Nepal. With poor connectivity, unreliable and dated way finding methods, and a sparse population the mountains are hard to navigate.
Project Goal
This MA project aims to create a regional multilingual way finding system that can aid both locals and travelers find their way through the last forbidden kingdom of Lo. Located in the Himalayas of Nepal.
14,452
The Mustang District in Nepal has an incredibly low population density of roughly 3.5 to 4 people per square kilometer.
Native Population
About Mustang [Demographic]
5,00,000+
Visitors per year
Over 573,000 domestic and international tourists visited Mustang in the last 10 months alone to see the unique rain-shadow desert landscapes, preserved medieval Tibetan culture, and deep spiritual significance.
Statistical data from Nepal Tourism Board across Nepal.
Search, & Rescue Services
Every year in Nepal about 50 trekkers require search, location, and rescue services each year.
+50
Statistical data from Nepal Tourism Board from across Nepal.
Missing People Annually
Out of those search and rescue missions it is estimated that 10 to 15 trekkers go completely missing.
15
Causes including, dependence on dated way finding systems.
Why This Matters
Real World Consequences.
October 31, 2025
Fifteen trekkers, including three British nationals, were rescued from the Dhaulagiri circuit after being trapped in heavy snowfall in the hidden mustang region. Read Article.
How can design make navigation safer, clearer and culturally authentic?
Navigation
Safety
Culture
Language
Identity
Conduct research-led design for a region-specific way finding and brand identity system for Upper Mustang that responds to:
Explore
Execute
Can way finding become a form of place multilingual identity that is both iconic and scalable.
A system that:
Helps people navigate
Reflects local culture
Supports tourism
Improves safety
Creates a recognizable regional identity
Project Details
མུ་སི་ཊང་།
2026 MA Project
University for the Creative Arts
Pranuj Shrestha
Design, Innovation, & Brand Management