Ruskin Gallery Guidelines
Wayfinding Diagram
Wayfinding Signage System
Cambridge School of Art
Contents Brief Part A
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Brief Part B
15
Introduction
6
Introduction
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Current Directions
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Proposal
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Typeface
8
Site Plan
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Colour Scheme
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Wayfinding Signs
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Leaflet Front
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Interactive Map
28
Leaflet Back
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Materials
32
In Practice
12
Process of Staining
34
Fixtures and Fittings
35
Maintenance
36
Typeface
37
Colour Scheme
38
Signs In Practice
40
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Brief Part A
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The Brief Wayfinding Diagram The Ruskin Gallery is one of the Cambridge School of Arts prize possessions and plays an important roll within the art school. Not only do students currently studying at the university visit the gallery and exhibit their work but prospective students and members of the public do regularly to. The current directions (Fig 1.) At the moment are helpful within the way they are written but visually are not very appealing. The brief is to redesign these instructions in a more effective and appealing way in which the universities stake holders can understand and follow at ease. It needs to be converted from the instructional text to a more immediate wayfinding diagram. There are no guidelines or specifications in which the redesign must uphold or follow. A free hand is given here as such when it comes down to the design as long as it answers the brief in full and is completely functional to the end user.
The problem and the solution There are many different reasons in which people will visit the Ruskin Gallery, some will be visiting an exhibition, meeting current students and others will be arriving here as prospective students prior to their interviews. Which ever reason this is, before they arrive they need to feel welcomed by the university and at the moment this isn’t happening. Having to print out your own directions at home on A4 paper in black and white with just text on isn’t appealing and personal enough. The proposed solution is to create something that could be a momentum to the user which is professional, functional and has a more personal feel to it. The idea is to create a folded leaflet focusing purely on the route to the Ruskin Gallery. The leaflet won’t be your usual folded leaflet, it will represent not only the many routes to the Gallery but also the different levels that the Ruskin Building has indicating where specific rooms are. The thought process behind this is that people will have a meaning to visit the Gallery and could be making a special trip to a particular exhibition or course interview. Keeping this in mind they could either request the leaflet from the University or would automatically be sent one as and when they are needed for student interviews. Following up on the idea of a momentum, the leaflet would be A4 unfolded but allowing it to be folded makes it smaller, more user friendly and can easily be placed within a pocket. Having to unfold different sections won’t be complicated because there will be a clear indication of direction and a colour coding system throughout making it easier for the user. It cannot be over complicated due to the variety of different stake holders.
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Fig 1. Current Ruskin Gallery Directions
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Typeface Throughout the leaflet the only one typeface that is used is Avenir Next. As the type within the leaflet needs to be versatile in size to make sure its readable at a smaller and larger typeset this type worked well in this situation on the leaflet.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz Avenir Next Regular 24pt - Used in the leaflet no smaller than 7pt
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz Avenir Next Medium 24pt - Used in the leaflet only for the headers at 14pt
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Colour Scheme The main colours of the leaflet are influenced by the already existing colour scheme within the Anglia Ruskin Brand. As the leaflet will be seen by stake holders it seems only natural to keep everything consistent throughout with subtle developments.
Main Colours
C:75 M:100 Y:8 K:1 R:101 G:36 B:123 HEX:652B86
C:99 M:84 Y:33 K:25 R:32 G:51 B:94 HEX:20335E
C:4 M:43 Y:80 K:0 R:238 G:158 B:75 HEX:EE9E4B
C:8 M:7 Y:3 K:2 R:235 G:233 B:239 HEX:EBE9EF
C:0 M:4 Y:8 K:0 R:255 G:246 B:237 HEX:FEF6ED
C:100 M:0 Y:4 K:0 R:0 G:158 B:227 HEX:009EE3
C:75 M:5 Y:100 K:0 R:63 G:164 B:53 HEX:3FA435
Background Colours
C:7 M:7 Y:0 K:0 R:242 G:237 B:247 HEX:F2EDF7
Route Colours
C:0 M:100 Y:0 K:0 R:229 G:0 B:125 HEX:E5007D
C:1 M:7 Y:11 K:0 R:250 G:235 B:221 HEX:FCF0E5
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Leaflet - Front Below is the final leaflet showing a flat preview of the front section. This holds the very front of the leaflet once folded showing an image of the Ruskin Gallery with the arrows. These lead the user to the section they need to unfold depending on the information they want to find out or where they’re going. At the bottom of the leaflet holds both the Anglia Ruskin University
logo and the Cambridge School of Arts logo. Once unfolded the main map of the whole university is showcased with the routes from all directions outside campus. These are marked by different colour codes and allow the user to identify which route best suits them, for example if they need a wheelchair accessible route these are clearly indicated.
Ru s k
Ru s k
i
ller n Ga
R
y Ro
men
t
reet Broad St
Lord Ashcroft Building (LAB)
Bryant (BRY)
y Ro
utes
Mellish Clark (MEL) Peter Taylor House
utes
F Top uskin
loor
East Road
Ru s
ase kin B
i
ller n Ga
David (DAV)
Mumford Libary (MUM) Main Entrance
Helmore (HEL)
1
Mumford Theatre Optometry Portakabins (OPT)
Bradmore Street Swinhoe House
Lift Stairs
Walking Route
Ruskin (RUS) 1
East Road
Toilet
Collier Road
Cafe
Broad Street
Disabled Access
Bradmore Street
Sinclair (SIN)
Collier Road
ge brid Cam ol of Art o h c S
10
Ru s k
in G
aller
y
1
Ruskin Gallery Coslett (COS)
Leaflet - Back Below is the final leaflet showing a flat preview of the back section. This is quite different from the front and should be used once the user has reached the Ruskin Gallery. Its broken down into two sections each taking up half the space with an identical layout allowing the leaflet to be used in a more consistent way. The left side shows the Basement in the Ruskin Gallery and
the right side shows the Top Floor. These have been broken down to extend the directions and help the user pin point specifically where they need to go. The rooms are numbered and to link from the overleaf the walkway is in the same format being a consistent dotted line. This is important for these floors because they can be confusing to navigate around.
020 028
027
026
218 219 211
Lift
212
213
214
215
216
Stairs
217
222
220
Toilet Walkway
210 Lift
008
012
Stairs Toilet Walkway
208
004a
004
002 001
009 205
010
Ru s k
in Ba
203
206
sem
ent
202
Ru s k
in To
p Flo
or
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In Practice The leaflet as stated in the proposal needed to be something that was easily accessible, simple to fold and unfold and something of a momentum to stake holders after there visit to the Ruskin Gallery and the whole University. The folding idea is a simple 3 folded leaflet and it is colour coded to which area you need to go to and from what route you’re traveling from to make everything clear and easy to follow. Its a user friendly size and should be friendly to use. On the next page are images that demonstrate the different folds and how the leaflet works. All the arrows are on the top half of the fold so you wouldn’t have to unfold the whole leaflet to see the colour coding on the front. The arrows point to which direction you need to unfold in order to find your way and help narrow the risk of confusion. The arrows have text in allowing the user to find the information they are after quicker and easier without over complicating it. This is how the map should be set out and used, its designed to be easy to undo and get back together again for quickness and ease. As stated before the user shouldn’t have to undo 10 pages just to find the Ruskin Gallery and this is why the use of arrows come into play and always keep the stake holders in mind. Below are images they show the different folds from the back of the leaflet, It shouldn’t be displayed from the back but it can be unfolded from here. The top fold which is the top layer of the leaflet is designed to represent the top floor of the Ruskin Building, the second fold which is the middle layer of the leaflet is designed to represent the ground floor which leads to the ground floor in the Ruskin Building and finally the third fold which is the bottom layer of the leaflet is designed to represent the Basement. There is method to the hierarchy of the leaflet which is all designed to help the user.
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Brief Part B
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The Brief Wayfinding Signage System Having designed a folded leaflet previously for part A of the brief, naturally it felt only right to extend this idea into a more developed sign system to help people navigate directly around the university from one specific place to another. The brief asks that the extension from part A is fully extended into a new completely fully functional signage system. Considerations must be given for the end user and the representation of the whole university and to represent the Ruskin Gallery appropriately and accordingly. Although there is quite a lot of signage for the university already the new proposal can either Choose to create a whole new system or slot alongside with the already existing signs.
The problem Anglia Ruskin currently has their own signage system which does work and is functional around most of the university but lacks in directions to the Ruskin Gallery, Mumford Theatre and to the Main Entrance. Once at the Ruskin Gallery it is hard to navigate back to the main entrance because internally there are no signs with directional help or any sign of a map to show where you are. Externally there are some signs showing the direction you need to go but in terms of information on a map they’re extremely unsuccessful if its the first time you have visited. Across the page are some examples of the current Anglia Ruskin dark blue signage system they have in place around the whole university, noting the unsuccessful parts and how this needs improvement. Figure 1 shows that the current map in place doesn’t state where the Ruskin Gallery, the Mumford Theatre or the Main Entrance is. This would be really helpful if a new map was created that had this information on. Figure 2 is a problem that the university are aware of because making the turn through the doors is vital. They aren’t sign posted enough and not many people know to take this door because it doesn’t look like a major route through to anywhere important. Figure 3 is something of a problem and definitely needs changing. Typographically the sign is fine but its about 3 metres from the Ruskin Gallery which isn’t too helpful being place in this spot. There either needs to be more of them or it should move. Figure 4 has a mixture of problems. Firstly there are no directional signs down to the basement of the Ruskin Building or to the top floor and this would be helpful if there were some. Secondly considering the amount and variety of stake holders outside it should be better signs for disabled access. Having signs in both these places would improve the navigation to and from the Ruskin Gallery.
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Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
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Proposed Solution The proposed solution is to create a signage system for the three main destinations, The Ruskin Gallery, The Mumford Theatre and The Main Entrance as these areas are the weakest within the already existing signage. This will particularly be concentrating on the Ruskin Building as this lacked signs the most but also including external and internal signage around the university to aid the ease of navigation to these areas. As the university already has there own wayfinding system and its own brand colours the new proposal needs to be different but link in with already existing signs and the brand. Looking at each building and area individually there is a clear distinct colour and feel between them. The Ruskin Building (Figure 7) is the original art school and uses a interior colour scheme of yellows and creams. The exterior is very identifiable as it uses red/orange brick. The Mumford Theatre (Figure 8) has its own colours leading up to the building externally using red/orange brick and a route from Bradmore Street leads you to the Lord Ashcroft Building which uses a red. The Box office of the Mumford Theatre also includes the usage of the red and wooden effect. The Main entrance will be kept in the Ruskin colours of a dark navy blue (Figure 6), as this forms part of the brand identity and keeps a neutral feel to the signs. The signs will be colour coded and be within a set of three (Figure 5). These were very first ideas of how linking arrows and triangles from the leaflet can be developed and implemented into the wayfinding brief part B. The shape of the triangles at the time came from early development of the leaflet which has since moved forward with the wayfinding system but formed a basis of ideas and forward thinking
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Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
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Site Plan The map to the right shows the location of the whole university and the buildings that collectively make Anglia Ruskin and The Cambridge School of Art. Each building has its own name which does make the navigation around campus easier to get from one building to the next. To indicate where the signs would be placed externally, these are represented by the purple circles. There are 5 main areas outside in which would benefit from having signs in place to help navigate to these main three areas. All of these areas will have one stand with the interactive map and then the exterior sign which is built up of three arrows. Three of these placements are alternative routes into the university, as it depends which direction you are coming from if not via the main entrance. The other two placements of signs are in areas that already hold directional signs so it feels only natural to propose the new signage to link in at these locations. The dots in dark grey on the map show the different routes between the buildings that will have directional internal signs. All of which will continue with the colour scheme and idea of using arrows, this links back to the leaflet. This map will form a basis of the interactive map that will be available in 5 locations to help people find a specific route from one building to the next.
Key Main Ent rance
Mumfor d Theatr e
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Ruskin Gallery
Information Poin t
Sinclai r
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Wayfinding Signs - Outside These are the oak signs that would be placed outside the buildings on the University campus. They are within the colour scheme representing the three main areas and the arrows point to the direction you need to walk. They are in a set of three and to work alongside these signs is the stand with an interactive map on. This allows the user to find a more accurate route in which they can see how to get to where they want to be with the use of coloured dots.
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The last sign created is to indicate for disabled users how to access the Ruskin Gallery. The Ruskin building is very confusing and only has 2 lifts which needed to be indicated allowing full use from all stake holders. All the signs have there dimensions stated below and aren’t drawn to scale but are in scale with each other showing how they would work beside one another.
56 cm
40 cm
182 cm
57.5 cm
160 cm
Key Key MainEntrance Entrance Main
RuskinGallery Gallery Ruskin
MumfordTheatre Theatre Mumford
InformationPoint Point Information
Sinclair Sinclair
131.5 cm
6 cm
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Wayfinding Signs - Inside The signs that are placed outside the buildings link in with the interior signs shown below. The system extends right through the Ruskin Building in particular as this lacked the most directional signage which needed improving. The signs below indicate which rooms are on each level and these will be placed by the stairways to help when trying to find a specific room.
65 cm
130 cm
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65 cm
130 cm
65 cm
130 cm
65 cm
130 cm
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Wayfinding Signs - Inside These signs are mainly for navigation around the building, currently there aren’t any signs so by creating these arrows this should help people back to the main entrance and out of the Ruskin Building. The second set of signs will be placed in the Lord Ashcroft Building on route to the Mumford Theatre and Ruskin Gallery. They are slightly curved as they need to wrap around the marble columns to show
40 cm
140 cm
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Figure 9
40 cm
140 cm
the direction of travel (Figure 9). Whilst in the Ruskin Gallery and Mumford theatre new signs for toilets and room numbers have been created to work alongside the new signs. These would replace the room signs currently and the toilet signs would be placed where needed as currently there aren’t any.
20 cm
20 cm 40 cm
140 cm
140 cm
160 cm
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Interactive Map Within the wayfinding signage system is a built in interactive map allowing people to find out where they need go by touching the screen. Again just Iike the rest of the system it is to help navigate to the three main points which are the Ruskin Gallery, Mumford Theatre and the Main Entrance. The colour scheme links in with the signs and the University brand colours to show consistency throughout.
Sinclair
Sinclair
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The arrows inform the user where they are currently and tapping where they want to go takes them to the next screen with directions.
Tapping on the Ruskin Gallery from the Collier Road entrance brings up this screen. The grey dotted walkway turns to the colour of the destination, linking to the wayfinding system signs to help with guidance.
Sinclair
Sinclair
Each map depending on where the user is will depend where the arrows are saying “you are here� and will depend on the perspective of the map. Keeping the directions from Collier Road, if you want to then travel to the Mumford Theatre you simply tap the red circle.
Tapping on the Mumford Theatre from the Collier Road entrance brings up this screen. Not only will the grey dots change colour depending which route is taken but disabled access is clearly indicated throughout.
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Sinclair
Sinclair
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Every screen uses the same principle no matter what direction you are coming from. It all depends on where you need to go, by tapping the circles around the Main Entrance will take you to the next screen.
Tapping on the Main Entrance from the Collier Road entrance brings up this screen. Again same principles as on previous screens, the route changes colour and indicates disabled access to help users navigate.
Sinclair
Not only is directional signage used when entering the university, it will be placed within the campus as well. Depending on where these signs are placed depends in which perspective you see the map. This is to help the user see exactly the route they need to follow.
Sinclair
The only aspects that change are the arrows in order to show the user where they currently are, the key which moves to the top right and the map swivels round. The principles still remain the same and always keep the user in mind to help them navigate around more efficiently.
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Materials The materials that the signs will be made of for the new wayfinding system have been influenced by the actual buildings that already exist. The new signs need to stand away from the Anglia Ruskin blue signage system but still need to link in with the brand and the buildings. This is why each arrow will have its own colour representing its individual building but the material to help along with this feel will be oak, more specifically American White Oak. Walking through the routes to the Ruskin Gallery and back to the main entrance there was a theme of wooden styling that was noted. The wooden skirting boards and door frames ran through the main entrance area into the Mumford building (Figure 10). Once you reach the Mumford theatre (Figure 11) the idea becomes more clear. The box office is structured with wooden sections along with the signs on the Box Office.
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Once past the Mumford Theatre going through to the Ruskin Building we continue to see the same theme. The doors and flooring (Figure 12) shows this wooden feel throughout which continues through to the Ruskin Gallery. As the new proposal includes internal and external signs the wood used has to be of good quality and stand up well against all weather conditions. When looking at oak it has a variety of different uses for example it can be used for construction, agriculture, architecture, interior design and is also used in shipbuilding. The signs will be made from American White Oak which is extremely resilient, strong and has a low chance of splintering if it is ever broken which makes the signs safer. American White Oak is renound for being used as the materials to make wine and whisky barrels due to its characteristics. The oak is non-rot resistant and water resistant without any treatment which is why it is used for barrels to make sure there are no leaks throughout.
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
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Process of staining All three colours, blue, yellow and red will go through the same process. This is broken down into five stages to provide maximum quality, durability and authenticity within each sign. (Shown in the diagram to the right) Firstly the Oak should be sanded down to open the pores ready for the stain to be applied. This will also smooth out the arrows and prevent a rough edge. Secondly a clear preservative coat will need to be applied to protect the natural wood before staining. Although the wood is water resistant this preservative actually protects the natural wood from the stain. Thirdly a first coat of wood stainer in the desired colour needs applying over the top and once this is complete needs repeating for the forth part of the process. This is to allow the colour to really come through let the wood soak up the stain. Lastly a UV protection coat needs to be applied, as some signs will be placed outside they will be open to all conditions of the British weather. This coat prevents the oak from weathering, rot, mildew and greying affects which is caused by the light from the sun as its so strong.
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UV Protection Oil
Second coat of wood stain First coat of wood stain
Clear Wood Preservative
Natural American White Oak
Fixtures and Fittings All the signs proposed for the new wayfinding system will be fitted to the wall shown by the diagram to the right. They will be attached to the wall by clip fixing them securely and this allows minimal amount of the fittings to be seen. The oak signs shouldn’t be obscured by lots of metal fixings, especially the outdoor signs as they give the illusion to be floating off the ground. The wooden signs as shown in the diagram slide into the clip that holds them into place once screwed into the wall, depending on the size of the sign the sizes will vary for maximum security.
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Maintenance As each sign is going to be stained a different colour, it is extremely important that all signs are maintained to continue a level of quality and vibrancy. They will be coated in order to prevent them from depreciating but it is inevitable that these signs will need some tender loving care. They will be made out of very good quality wood as they are representing not only the Ruskin Gallery, The Mumford theatre and the Main Entrance they are representing Anglia Ruskin University and in particular The Cambridge School of Art. The idea of keeping on top of the maintenance is to continue to represent Anglia University and The Cambridge School of Art at high quality level. Some of these signs prospectively will be the first signs that a variety of stake holders will see when they enter the campus. First impressions is something that stays with everyone when they enter a new building and prospective students more importantly needs to be impressed from the moment they enter. Appearance is a must and extremely important, this needs to be upholded throughout the design.
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A routine check up as such should be required every 6 months on each individual sign to allow a full examination. Each sign will need to be looked at and reviewed for the following; • • • • • • • • • • •
Structural Deficiencies Structural Integrity Irregularities Weaknesses Protection against weathering Protection against splintering Discolouration Prevention Fixtures and fittings Sign security Map interactivity Electrical faults
If any of the signs do not meet the standards or requirements expected they should be corrected and fixed as soon as possible. Depending on how serious the alterations are they can be resolved on sight or back at the workshop.
Typeface Extending Part B of the brief from Part A helped in terms of typeface. To show continuity throughout the project the typeface has stayed the same and is Avenir Next. For the signs the letter spacing much greater to allow for readability from a longer distance and is only used in medium weight.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz Avenir Next Regular 24pt
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz Avenir Next Medium 24pt
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Colour Scheme As this project is extended from Part A some of the colours are the same to link together, show progression and keep continuity through the wayfinding system as a whole. The interactive map introduces new colours which are mainly shades of grey to allow the colour of the routes to be more visible to the user.
Buttons and coloured routes
C:4 M:43 Y:80 K:0 R:238 G:158 B:75 HEX:EE9E4B
C:21 M:76 Y:66 K:11 R:185 G:81 B:72 HEX:B95148
C:99 M:84 Y:33 K:25 R:32 G:51 B:94 HEX:20335E
Background and buildings
C:18 M:13 Y:14 K:0 R:216 G:216 B:216 HEX:D8D8D8
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C:40 M:31 Y:32 K:10 R:155 G:155 B:154 HEX:9B9B9A
C:60 M:50 Y:49 K:43 R:84 G:84 B:84 HEX:545454
C:75 M:100 Y:8 K:1 R:101 G:36 B:123 HEX:652B86
Colour Scheme The wayfinding signs link from the interactive map and still keep within the colour scheme allowing the user to navigate at ease through campus. The wooden oak signs are stained blue, golden yellow and brown/red. The type however is engraved into the signs these are lighter colours to stand out from the dark stains.
Wood Stain
C:93 M:80 Y:61 K:14 R:50 G:62 B:80 HEX:323E50
C:24 M:60 Y:86 K:13 R:180 G:107 B:48 HEX:B46B30
C:33 M:80 Y:82 K:20 R:153 G:67 B:48 HEX:994330
C:4 M:8 Y:12 K:0 R:427 G:235 B:225 HEX:F7EBE1
C:1 M:28 Y:15 K:0 R:247 G:201 B:201 HEX:F7C9C9
Type
C:17 M:0 Y:2 K:0 R:219 G:239 B:249 HEX:DBEFF9
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Signs in Practice This sign is seen from the Bradmore Street entrance to the University. Once Through the automatic doors you’re greeted with another sign on a column. This will show which way to the Main Entrance, Ruskin Gallery and Mumford Theatre
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This sign is seen from the Broad Street entrance to the University. This area lacked appropriate signs and didn’t show where the Ruskin Gallery was. Having these here would rectify this problem.
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From the ground floor of the Ruskin building these arrows are in place to show what rooms are on the basement floor. More importantly they identify where the Print Room and Letterpress room are. These signs will be placed throughout the Ruskin Building on every staircase to indicate where each room is.
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From the ground floor of the Ruskin building these arrows are in place to show what rooms are on the top floor. Currently there no signs to show this information so with these in place this should ease the navigation around the Ruskin Building.
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One of the most unclear areas of the rout to the Ruskin Gallery is where you turn into the Mumford Theatre. These proposed signs will wrap around the column here and indicate to go through the door. This idea for the signs would also be implemented on the column as you enter from Bradmore Street.
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Once you come through the corridor out of the Mumford building it is unclear to the go through these doors. This is accessible for everyone to take this route which is why it was important to place in wheelchair access on the sign.
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