Description
The Environmental Graphics program aims to integrate the look and feel of design into the space, and also create graphics for universal resources that can be implemented across the whole building, per UT standards.
Attributes
There’s two parts of the graphics: the first is the SDCT-side of the building, which has specific branding needs to make it our own space. The second is considering the rest of AHG as a shared and mixed use space, and understand the needs of the remaining space.
Scalability
The environmental graphics program is designed in such a way that they can be used by nearly anyone to design any such graphic. It can also be scaled to the whole building, given the branding standards and guidelines are already in place by the university, it enables anyone to make a “good sign”.
Research
Environmental graphics are a bit broad in scope. They encompass all of the graphic elements in a specific environment–from informational signage, to decorative signage and environmental touches. The goal of environmental graphics is to inform, yet allow the space express itself. With strong environmental graphics, a space can become a place.
One point of research that arose in both the climate survey and the research that wkrm performed was the notion of accessing AHG. Once you’re in, how do you get to a location, and understand your surroundings? In the climate survey, people expressed confusion on how to get to their specific classes or desired locations. This, in turn, led to people getting frustrated and using context clues to understand how to get to a specific location.
AHG has a multitude of needs that require careful consideration and attention when it comes to the idea surrounding environmental graphics. It starts with both programs that occupy the space.
A quick concept was developed in wkrm as part of understanding how wayfinding could be implemented into AHG.
Iteration
With this in mind, it was imperative to ensure that two systems were in place to help establish a standard of way finding and communication within the space.
As part of the vision plan, an action was introduced:
Create a system of signage for both SDCT and AHG at large to establish wayfinding and a cohesive, yet distinct visual presence.
Iteration started back in Spring 2023 as a small experiment to see what could be done. This led to three types of environmental graphics that the wkrm team experimented with:
Each type of sign went through multiple iterations and curation that aimed to refine the information being displayed and how it was displayed.
While the signage tested well, each sign evolved into different forms and left key questions for the vision plan to consider and act upon:
- What info is necessary and how is that information communicated?
- How do changes occur at scale? How easy it to make changes, given the scale of a graphic?
- Does information need to be this big or small?
- What info is necessary and how is that information communicated?
- How does branding elements communicate you’re in a new space?
- What does “universal” signage for AHG look like?
- What does the “key element” on the blade sign look and convey?
- How can the sign communicate from a distance?-
- What does “universal” signage for AHG look like? How can that signal “the labs are for everyone!”?
These questions led to a more narrow focus:
Create two distinct, yet comprehensive, environmental graphic systems:
one unique for SDCT’s needs, and one for AHG’s common and shared spaces
With this focus, two types of signage were narrowed in scope to focus on: Informational Signage and Blade Signage. Both proved to be successful in user testing in the spring, and iterating on their design would enable AHG to become more accessible to all–students, and staff that call it home, but also visitors who may be using the space for the first time.
The first iteration of the blade signs included a mix of words and symbols, which for some was hard to read and tell what the icons were from a distance. Yet, it did draw people in and informed them of the space(s) from a distance and down the hall.
While the blade signs tested well, they also ran into compliance issues. UT requires all blade signs to be hung at least 80 inches above the ground, per ADA standards. The signs, due to their mounting system and being mounted against door frames, led to them not being allowed, causing a fuss with the AHG building manager and other stakeholders in AHG.
FIRST iterations
Focuses on using the SDCT brand standards and curated icons from the noun project to test visibility and durability.
From a design perspective, the verbiage had a lot of people confused. For instance, the “Anna’s Office” sign made people think that it was, verbatim, “Anna’s Office” (ironically, there was an Anna in Texas Robotics, which led to some people questioning if it was her office, or the like). Historically, the space was Anna’s Office when the building was erected back in the 1920s and 30s.
The blade signs also raised an important question about ownership of the space: who owns each of the shops, and in turn, who can use them? The initial thought was to create the signage with the SDCT branding in mind, which would lead one to think that SDCT owns the space.
Instead, a larger question was raised:
What is the brand that differs AHG from the design wing?
Signage could not only help differentiate the two wings, but they could help visually signal ownership and help create community behind the space itself. This question would help steer how the “universal signage” of AHG could be designed and iterated upon.
The new blade signs aimed to accomplish:
- Communicating basic information (instead of telling people, focus on drawing people in)
- Explain and name the lab and other information on a supportive sign near the lab entryway
- Be clear and concise with language, where necessaryEliminate the guesswork on who owns the space–move that to the supportive sign
- Ensure compliance with UT standards
These steering points led to a series of new blade signs that aimed to inform, yet simplify the information they were communicating. It required research into what lab provided, and what icon could sum that service up into a single image.
The new design incorporates the standard UT branding, but includes curated icons that visually represent the functions of each lab from a distance. Specific yet simple details needed to be displayed on each blade sign so that people can easily identify the icon associated with each lab when looking down the hallway.
In addition, a custom 3D-printed mount was designed and attached to each blade sign using glue and Command Strips. This was done to comply with UT Standards, ensure stability, and facilitate ideation.
SECOND iterationsFocuses on adapting the UT standards for blade signage, signaling that it is a shared space amongst SDCT and Texas Robotics
The fourth ideation focused on refining the blade sign for the digital fabrication lab. The initial design resembling Legos did not perform well in user testing. Balancing the communication of computer-generated graphics and physically produced three-dimensional works proved to be a challenging task when developing concepts. Even when interviewing visitors, there was confusion on how to visually represent this idea through an icon.
The new icon was a simple cube and an X/Y axis, to help symbolize the 3D nature of the lab.
FOURTH iterationsFocuses on changing the icons in a way that enables them to be seen from a distance.
The final tested ideation pushed the Digital Fabrication Lab once more by considering the relationship between 3D and the computer by combining both elements into one cohesive icon. This icon built on both iterations that preceded it, and proved to be successful and useful during testing.
FIFTH iterationsFocuses on changing the icons in a way that enables them to be seen from a distance.
The new blade signs tested well, as both communities: both design and robotics appreciated the signs. One robotics student commented: “now, more people will know we’ll have a shower!”.
The brown color was decided on, as the UT wayfinding standards adopted brown as their backing color. Since there was little wiggle room to make a new AHG brand, per UT standards, the brown and cream color scheme was adopted, as it’s an easily recognizable matchup across campus when it comes to wayfinding.
Some future iterations on these blade signs may include:
- What are “standard” icons that could be used to communicate and convey this information?
- Are there other dimensions of blade signs to explore along other shared use facilities?
- How can these signs be moved to a state of permanence (fabricated)?
Informational signage encapsulates a whole plethora of ideas. This can lead to a broad swath of variations and types of informational signage. For the Action, two focuses were established to help narrow the scope of the project and prototyping:
Wayfinding
How do people get from place to place and navigate around the building?
How can maps and other essential graphics be implemented to gain access to other spaces around the building?
Instructional
How can people get informed about services, labs, and other assets in AHG in a clear and concise way?
How can this be tied into the larger system of signage?
Both of these types of signs were focused on and iterated upon to help devise a strategy for implementation and fabrication.
Wayfinding
The purpose of the wayfinding system is to assist users in reaching their desired destination. During the climate survey, individuals expressed concerns about getting lost when they first arrived at the building, with some even doubting if they were in the correct location. AHG has two main entry points: the courtyard and the “private drive” entry to the west. Additionally, AHG is situated on a hill, which adds to the confusion regarding which level to enter. By implementing a wayfinding system and signage, it becomes easier to explicitly identify your current location and navigate towards your final destination.
In Spring 2023, wayfinding was initially explored on a smaller scale. On the SDCT side of the building, the focus was primarily on creating a directory of spaces for design students to utilize. This involved adding room numbers and waypoints, such as Dean Keaton and Speedway, as markers to indicate which exits led to specific areas. However, this signage proved to be inefficient as it contained too much information in a limited space and felt temporary within the environment it occupied.
The first ideation of a wayfinding sign. Aimed at guiding visitors on the design side, it poised visitors to get to their destination and orient them in space.
Wayfinding was simplified to using bands of color that matched the existing stripes on the ground. The purpose was to direct visitors to specific studios on the SDCT side. When looking down the hall, visitors could also see a prominent LABS sign, indicating that the hallway did not end with a wall, but instead extended to the left where the labs were situated.
The second ideation of a wayfinding sign. It focused specifically on the four classrooms in the design wing.
As part of the vision plan, an action was taken to establish a universal standard for signage within AHG. This standard aligns with the UT wayfinding standards and aims to be easily recognizable by all. Key locations within AHG have been identified to receive these signs as part of the program.
To test the effectiveness of the signs, the prototype initially focused on the first floor. Once testing and prototyping on the first floor were completed, the second floor was included in the process.
The iteration process involved researching the UT Standards and analyzing the branding and features of the signs. These findings were then used to iteratively meet the unique needs of AHG. Since most signs in the guide didn’t meet AHG’s specific needs, a custom sign that followed the standards was created.
To better understand the building’s needs, the existing wayfinding signage was analyzed. It was found to be too small, difficult to read and understand, and was paired with a nearly illegible map.
The old wayfinding system utilized an illegible map and a simple room directory with no context clues or hotspot locations, like bathrooms or elevators.
The first version of the signs used simple, yet clean language (“This Way To”) and minimized the use of color to focus specifically on the information.
These versions showed little improvement between the first and second versions. The information on the sign felt cluttered and did not adhere to the specific branding standards of the UT Wayfinding system, particularly in terms of color.
The second iteration adapted the use of color, along with elements such as floor level and building name.
During the third ideation, a site visit was conducted to refine the map and its details, aiming to make it simple and easy to navigate through the space. Welch Hall, one of the additional buildings managed by AHG’s building manager Zarko, was visited. Zarko showcased their signage systems, which served as inspiration for possible iterations in AHG within the UT approved domain.
The third ideation added a layer of color, so that specific wings could be easily located. It also included simplifying the floor plans and room numbers and labels down to the most essential and frequently accessed rooms.
The first version of the signs used simple, yet clean language (“This Way To”) and minimized the use of color to focus specifically on the information.
These versions showed little improvement between the first and second versions. The information on the sign felt cluttered and did not adhere to the specific branding standards of the UT Wayfinding system, particularly in terms of color.
The second iteration adapted the use of color, along with elements such as floor level and building name.
During the third ideation, a site visit was conducted to refine the map and its details, aiming to make it simple and easy to navigate through the space. Welch Hall, one of the additional buildings managed by AHG’s building manager Zarko, was visited. Zarko showcased their signage systems, which served as inspiration for possible iterations in AHG within the UT approved domain.
The third ideation added a layer of color, so that specific wings could be easily located. It also included simplifying the floor plans and room numbers and labels down to the most essential and frequently accessed rooms.
The third ideation proved to be successful, testing well with visitors and students as a solid map that was easy to read and navigate. The colors provided a sense of clarity and specific “zones” of the room numbers and how to access them (i.e., the 1.100 rooms being green in color allowed people to navigate to them without scanning the directory, allowing them to move through the space quicker and more efficiently). These main signs were then installed to be a permanent installation within AHG using plexiglass and stand offs.
During critiques, Jon Freach discussed the idea of extending color into the environment, to create a cohesive system of wayfinding. Given the limited scope and parameters of the project, a few iterations were explored to include in the long-term vision of the project (see next pages for examples).
Using the third ideation as a framework, more signage was created for other spaces on the first floor, including elevator bank signage, exit signage, and stairway signage.
The Student Vision for
Anna Hiss Gym
Designed by Zac DeLane, with assistance from the Spring 2022 wkrm Team
