BACKGROUND

This project relied heavily on an understanding of the technical aspects of designing directional signage. Taking into consideration ADA regulations, typographic treatment, grids, layouts, and specific ratios.

PROJECT BRIEF

Tehama Hall is building located on North Campus of CSU Chico and is notoriously known for having a conflicting signage system and causing confusion when attempting to navigate its halls. As a team, we were tasked to design and propose a thoughtful and intuitive signage system to implement.

pase 2: strategy

Once we exhausted all of our research methods, we identified opportunities and developed a strategy to create a legible and memorable environment. Moving forward we would implement a Landmark Way Finding method, contrasting color scheme, symbols to reinforce understanding, and tab signage complimented by digital signage as a way to update information in real time.

phase 3: branding + typography

In order to compliment current CSU Chico Brand Guidelines, and comply with ADA regulations we chose Futura PT Book and Medium as the typeface for our signage system. We would use LEED (Leadership Energy Environmental Design) Compliant materials such as acrylic resin product (sourced from sustainable suppliers), to reinforce the CSUC brand of sustainability and move foreword with the universities goal of being a climate neutral campus by the year 2030.

phase 1: Research + analysis

We began with gaining a general understanding of signage and way finding design. Analyzing how color, composition, and typography played a key role in every decision. We conducted further research by fly on the wall observations, surveying Tehama Hall during passing periods, lull periods, and beginning of a new semester vs the end. From our observations we had a better understanding of what questions to include in our survey so we could gain optimal insights on what users struggled the most with. Our questionnaire was sent out via Survey Monkey, and from the data collected we were able to conduct thoughtful user centered research, create a stakeholder map, and user flow map.

We discovered that majority of users reported difficulty finding bathrooms, the continuing stair case to take you to 3rd & 4th floors, and the elevators. Once we gained perspective on main pain points plaguing Tehama Hall we interviewed faculty and staff, specifically those with offices or classrooms in high traffic intersections (based on our user flow map). All of which reported constantly having to help users locate restrooms, elevators, and stairwells.

Lastly, we created user scenarios to better explain how the current environment and signage system interact with users.

challenges

While working on such a large scale project, the amount of research is overwhelming at first. However me and my teammates gathered ample amounts data and met regularly to ensure consistency across each of our various digital aspects to deliver a professional and influential proposal to Chico State.

Process & Materials

User Centered Research, Landmark Way Finding, Illustrator, Photoshop