V I SION WORKS HOP SEPTEMBER 2016
Signage and Wayfinding Program : Bowie State University
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S The structure of this document follows the meeting agenda.
1.
Defining the Project
2.
General Observations
3.
Answering the Big Questions
4.
Image Calibration Workshop
5.
Wayfinding Workshop
6.
Next Steps / Summary
VISIONING SESSION The Visioning Session is a foundational meeting that allows Ayers Saint Gross and Bowie State University committee members to define wayfinding terminology, identify primary wayfinding audiences, define key issues, and explore primary destinations in the context of audience needs. The session also provides an opportunity for committee members to engage in preliminary exercises focused on image, and brand integration. The results of the Visioning Sessions are summarized within.
AT T E N D E E S Liza Almo, Title IX Karl Brockenbrough, VP Administration and Finance Morgan Gilpatrick, Marketing & Communications Greg Goings, Athletics April Johnson, Career Services Lucia Millet, Facilities Jacqueline Palmer, Facilities Cassandra Robinson, Marketing & Communications Ernest Waiters, Campus Safety Lawrence Webb, Admissions Darryl Williford, Facilities Lindsay Story, Ayers Saint Gross Jack Hulme, Ayers Saint Gross Mindy Dunn, Ayers Saint Gross
1. Defining the Project
Defin ing t he P r o j e c t ( pr e s e n ta tio n )
SIGNAGE & WAYFINDING PROGRAM VISION WORKSHOP SEPTEMBER 30, 2016
“BowieStateUniversity_VisionWorkshop_10302016.pdf” The design team opened with a Signage & Wayfinding Program presentation that included the following topics: Introductions A brief overview of the team and committee Wayfinding and Signage Definitions A review of wayfinding tools, definition of target audiences, project context, and select project examples Discovery and Design Process An overview of the overall project process and scope of work General Observations An overview and evaluation of the existing campus wayfinding system
Wa y f i n d i ng & S ign age P rogram : Bowie St at e Univ er s it y
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2. General Observations
The design team provided a brief overview and evaluation of the existing exterior campus way-finding system.
OBSERVATIONS—CAMPUS GATEWAYS / THRESHOLDS
OBSERVATION
• • • •
A large masonry and dimensional letter gateway announces campus arrival Gateway incorporates older brand components Secondary masonry and sign panel gateways at main campus intersection Digital display promotes campus events and important dates
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OBSERVATIONS—VEHICULAR DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE
OBSERVATION
• • • •
Signs currently display too much information Arrow usage is confusing and messages are too small Signs direct to parking lots, buildings, and residence halls Sign sizes and construction varies
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OBSERVATIONS—PEDESTRIAN MAP KIOSKS & DIRECTORIES
OBSERVATION
• Maps directories are limited with one large vehicular map directory at main campus entrance • Directories do not include additional information beyond building names • Messages are too small
Wa y f i n d i ng & S ign age P rogram : Bowie St at e Univ er s it y
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OBSERVATIONS—PEDESTRIAN DIRECTIONAL SIGNS
OBSERVATION
• Pedestrian directional signs are lacking on campus • Sign type is the same as building identification signs and vehicular directional signs
Wa y f i n d i ng & S ign age P rogram : Bowie St at e Univ er s it y
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OBSERVATIONS—PARKING LOT IDENTIFICATION SIGNS
OBSERVATION
• Parking identification signs are consistently placed at all parking areas on campus • Sign type is the same as building identification signs and vehicular directional signs • In many cases reserved sign posts are damaged
Wa y f i n d i ng & S ign age P rogram : Bowie St at e Univ er s it y
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OBSERVATIONS—BUILDING IDENTIFICATION
OBSERVATION
• • • • •
Building identification is primarily limited to ground-mounted signs Signs are inconsistently positioned relative to actual building entrances Few signs contain ancillary building information Older concrete signs still exist within the system Many signs are damaged and missing sign panels
Wa y f i n d i ng & S ign age P rogram : Bowie St at e Univ er s it y
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OBSERVATIONS—ARCHITECTURAL LETTERING
OBSERVATION
• Architectural lettering appears on many buildings • Typefaces and materials vary from building to building • Lettering placement varies from building to building
Wa y f i n d i ng & S ign age P rogram : Bowie St at e Univ er s it y
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OBSERVATIONS—MISCELLANEOUS SIGNS
OBSERVATION
• • • •
-
Wa y f i n d i ng & S ign age P rogram : Bowie St at e Univ er s it y
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3. Answering the Big Questions
Workshop attendees were asked a series of high-level “Big Questions� aimed at helping the design team gain a better understanding of the overall project goals and expectations.
Qu e stion #1
What is the number one thing you want to improve? Responses: • Hierarchy of information • Clarity on campus - “Where do we go now?” • Less dependence on verbal assistance
• Improved accessibility • Less need for temporary signage
Qu e stion #2
What issues do you expect this project to solve? Responses: • To “Fill in the gaps” - Signage where needed • Consistency with color, text, size, etc • Identification on buildings • Greater flexibility for changing information, ie: names and departments
Wa y f i n d i ng & S ign age P rogram : Bowie S ta te U n iversity
• Consistent building numbers and letters for emergencies • Leverage GPS compatibility as a tool for wayfinding • Link to buildings and identifiers to course catalogue
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Qu e stion #3
Why this Project? Why now? Responses: • Signage conveys old branding and needs to be updated • This year has a very high enrollment, and many students are confused
• It’s been “a long time coming” - overdue • Stakeholder expectations, they expect a clear system • Special Events / Temporary Signage needs to be thought out
Qu e stion #4
What are the major landmarks on campus? Responses: • Henry Circle and The Pond • Campus Loop Road • The Student Center • William S. Henry Administration Building • Thurgood Marshall Library
Wa y f i n d i ng & S ign age P rogram : Bowie S ta te U n iversity
• • • • •
CNSMN Building Goodloe House Greek Residence Halls The Flame / Obelisk Bulldog Statue
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Qu e stion #5
Are there any “sacred cows” we should know about? Responses: • The Flame / Obelisk • The metal screen Arts Building Sign
• The Greek Plots • The Upper Quad
Qu e stion #6
Will the new signage need to accommodate changing information? Where and what type? Responses: • Changeability due to vandalism and weathering (Sign Components)
Wa y f i n d i ng & S ign age P rogram : Bowie S ta te U n iversity
• Parking, ie: reserved spots (titles change) • Departments on ID Signs
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Qu e stion #7
What aspects of Bowie State’s current signage system work well? Responses: • The interior portion of the Student Center • The entrance kiosk / directory
Qu e stion #8
What is the single most compelling thing you want people to say about this project once completed Responses: • “Wow! Great Change!” • “It’s about time!” • “I’m not lost”
Wa y f i n d i ng & S ign age P rogram : Bowie S ta te U n iversity
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Qu e stion #9
How do you define success for this project? Responses: • Within budget • Multi-year project, ie: phasing in signage • Implementation of money from numerous sources
Wa y f i n d i ng & S ign age P rogram : Bowie S ta te U n iversity
• Fewer people stopping to ask for directions • Less of a need for temporary signage
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4. Image Calibration Workshop
The design team provided a brief overview of the existing campus architectural palette, existing sign typologies, and current brand guidelines for discussion. Workshop attendees were asked to indicate their perception of current and future signage by marking a position along a scale of adjective pairs. The goal of this exercise was to calibrate the overall impression of the existing signage system and gain a better understanding of the desired “Image� of the future signage system.
IMAGE CALIBRATION:
IMAGE CALIBRATION:
Current Signage & Wayfinding
New Signage & Wayfinding
Mark the adjective that most accurately describes the style of signage you feel is currently present at Bowie State University.
Mark the adjective that most accurately describes the style of signage you feel is appropriate for Bowie State University.
(You may not pick the middle)
(You may not pick the middle)
TRADITIONAL
CONTEMPORARY
TRADITIONAL
MINIMAL
ORNATE
MINIMAL
SUBTLE
BOLD
SUBTLE
VIBRANT
SIMPLE
ACTIVE
CALM
FORMAL
INFORMAL
COMPLEMENT
CONTRAST
COMPLEMENT
OBVIOUS
UNDERSTATED
NEUTRAL
FORMAL
UNDERSTATED
ACTIVE
CONTRAST
VIBRANT
INFORMAL
BOLD
CALM
ORNATE
SIMPLE
CONTEMPORARY
OBVIOUS
BRANDED
NEUTRAL
BRANDED
COMMITTEE FEEDBACK
• We want people to see the signs and we want them to use the signs. • Students want to see black and gold colors.
Wa y f i n d i ng & S ign age P rogram : Bowie St at e Univ er s it y
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C ampus Pa l e t t e
Wa y f i n d i ng & S ign age P rogram :
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E xi stin g S i g ns
Wa y f i n d i ng & S ign age P rogram :
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Bran d Pale t t e
Wa y f i n d i ng & S ign age P rogram :
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5. Wayfinding Workshop
This workshop describes relevant audiences, key public destinations, and circulation. Workshop attendees were also asked to envision various “User Profiles� scenarios to help map and identify areas of confusion and wayfinding deficiencies on campus. These areas along with other wayfinding information were diagrammed during the session.
S u m mary D i a g r a m
This diagram highlights existing and anticipated campus gateways, vehicular circulation, areas of confusion, and key destinations as identified by the workshop attendees.
Primary Campus Gateways Primary Vehicular Circulation Key Destinations Areas of Confusion / Conflict Key Connections
AD R
UM
DR
1 Alex Haley Re 2 Center for Lea and Technolog
LOO
DI
COLLEGE OF EDU COLLEGE OF PRO
Softball Field
AR
P R D
EN
S TA
F
ST WE
3 Power Plant 4 Charlotte Rob
7
HUMAN RESOUR MARYLAND CEN VISITOR PARKING
Visitor Parking Track & Field
BO
E
OM ST
W
IE
MARC Parking
E AD EN OM
OP
RD
LE HA
A NRY C
CA
26 J
5
IRC
EL BO
D
WI
D ER
R
J
CH ERI
A OP
S
DR
J1
N
25 JERI
CHO
PA R K
RD
RD
UR Campus Entrance
RK
PU
9 L
EA
LA 197
A
M
K
4 Visitor Parking Permits
To Race Track Rd
Produced by mapformation.com, March 2015
PAGE 30
11 Harriet Tubma Residence Hal 12 Leonidas S. Ja Physical Educa
Deliveries
14
8
Visitor Parking
24
EA
I
23
MLK Plaza
HE
ST
LO
16
O
Wa y f i n d i ng & S ign age P rogram :
YD R
EA
21
B
RD
ST
PR
RD OP LO
15
H
OP
EL
ALUMNI RELATIO
LO
UR
Penn Line
1
ST
10
MARC Parking
17
22
Torch
LE
LA
O
6
13
West Courtyard
C
ST
LEM
GE
WE
197
ID
G
20 Holmes Plaza
WE
2 RD
COLLEGE OF ART
6 Dwight Holme 7 “Bulldog” Foo 8 George Crawf Science Buildi 9 Goodloe Apar 10 Goodloe Hous
18
19
11
D
BR NS
12
PR
3
5 Computer Scie
Field House
E
EN
Visitor Parking Permits
AD
14000 Jericho Park Rd. Bowie, MD 20715-9465 301-860-4000 or 1-877-77-BOWIE www.bowiestate.edu
Parking Lots
Visitor Parking (Parking Pass Require Visitors must obtain a temporary parking Campus Police Department on the upper Robinson Hall or in the Theodore McKeldi (#4 or #19 on map). Visitor parking space available on Henry Circle and in Parking L
Metro Bus Stops Blue Light Emergency Phones Residence Halls Student Center University Buildings Under Construction
A u dience, D e s t i na t i o n, a n d C irc u la tio n
LIST THE PRIMARY DESTINATIONS FOR THOSE LEAST FAMILIAR WITH THE CAMPUS. •
Center for Learning and
•
•
Martin Luther King Jr.
Technology (2)
Center for Business and
•
Charlotte Robinson Hall (4)
•
Leonidas S. James Physical
•
•
William E. Henry Administration
Fine & Performing Arts Center (25)
Building (21) •
•
Thurgood Marshall Library (23)
Student Center (26)
1 Alex Haley Re 2 Center for Lea and Technolog
AD R
UM
DR
Education Complex (12)
Key Destinations
Graduate Studies (24)
Communication Arts Center (16)
LOO
DI
COLLEGE OF EDU COLLEGE OF PRO
Softball Field
AR
P R D
EN
S TA
F
ST WE
3 Power Plant 4 Charlotte Rob
7
HUMAN RESOUR MARYLAND CEN VISITOR PARKING
Visitor Parking Track & Field
E
OM ST
IE
24
HE
E AD EN
YD R
J
5
UR
EL BO
D ER
R
D
WI
Campus Entrance
J
CH ERI
A OP
RK
RD OP ST
PU
S
DR
J1
N
25 JERI
CHO
PA R K
RD
RD
LA 197
A
M
K
4 Visitor Parking Permits
EA
CA
26
C NRY CIR
11 Harriet Tubma Residence Hal 12 Leonidas S. Ja Physical Educa
Deliveries
14
8
Visitor Parking
O
9 L
Parking Lots
Visitor Parking (Parking Pass Require Visitors must obtain a temporary parking Campus Police Department on the upper Robinson Hall or in the Theodore McKeldi (#4 or #19 on map). Visitor parking space available on Henry Circle and in Parking L
Metro Bus Stops Blue Light Emergency Phones Residence Halls Student Center University Buildings Under Construction
To Race Track Rd
Produced by mapformation.com, March 2015
Wa y f i n d i ng & S ign age P rogram : Bowie St at e Univ er s it y
LE HA
I
23
A
MARC Parking
OM
EA
LO
16
B
RD
ST
PR
RD OP LO
15 W
21 MLK Plaza
OP
BO
H
LO
EL
ALUMNI RELATIO
ST
UR
Penn Line
1
EA
10
MARC Parking
17
22
Torch
LE
LA
O
6
13
West Courtyard
C
ST
LEM
GE
WE
197
ID
G
20 Holmes Plaza
WE
2
BR NS
19
11
D
RD
COLLEGE OF ART
6 Dwight Holme 7 “Bulldog” Foo 8 George Crawf Science Buildi 9 Goodloe Apar 10 Goodloe Hous
18
PR
3
5 Computer Scie
Field House
12
EN
Visitor Parking Permits
AD
14000 Jericho Park Rd. Bowie, MD 20715-9465 301-860-4000 or 1-877-77-BOWIE www.bowiestate.edu
E
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A u dience, D e s t i na t i o n, a n d C irc u la tio n
WHERE ARE THE “TROUBLE SPOTS” WHERE DO PEOPLE GET CONFUSED? •
Understanding the need for
•
East Loop Road and Campus
Parking Pass
•
Drive intersection
•
Jericho Park Road intersection
•
East Loop Road
•
East Loop Road arrival
•
Connection between
•
Campus connection to
Primary Campus Gateways
Athletic Field
Primary Vehicular Circulation
Finding Deliveries
Areas of Confusion / Conflict
Goodloe House and campus
Key Connections
Parking to Fine Arts Center
1 Alex Haley Re 2 Center for Lea and Technolog
AD R
UM
DR
•
LOO
DI
COLLEGE OF EDU COLLEGE OF PRO
Softball Field
AR
P R D
EN
S TA
F
ST WE
3 Power Plant 4 Charlotte Rob
7
HUMAN RESOUR MARYLAND CEN VISITOR PARKING
Visitor Parking Track & Field
W
IE
E
OM ST
24
HE
NRY C
E AD EN
YD R
J
5
UR
EL BO
D ER
R
D
WI
Campus Entrance
J
CH ERI
A OP
RK
RD OP ST
PU
S
DR
J1
N
25 JERI
CHO
PA R K
RD
RD
LA 197
A
M
K
4 Visitor Parking Permits
EA
CA
26
IRC
11 Harriet Tubma Residence Hal 12 Leonidas S. Ja Physical Educa
Deliveries
14
8
Visitor Parking
O
9 L
Parking Lots
Visitor Parking (Parking Pass Require Visitors must obtain a temporary parking Campus Police Department on the upper Robinson Hall or in the Theodore McKeldi (#4 or #19 on map). Visitor parking space available on Henry Circle and in Parking L
Metro Bus Stops Blue Light Emergency Phones Residence Halls Student Center University Buildings Under Construction
To Race Track Rd
Produced by mapformation.com, March 2015
Wa y f i n d i ng & S ign age P rogram : Bowie St at e Univ er s it y
LE HA
I
23
A
MARC Parking
OM
EA
LO
16
B
RD
ST
PR
RD OP LO
21 MLK Plaza
OP
BO
15
H
LO
EL
ALUMNI RELATIO
ST
UR
Penn Line
1
EA
10
MARC Parking
17
22
Torch
LE
LA
O
6
13
West Courtyard
C
ST
LEM
GE
WE
197
ID
G
20 Holmes Plaza
WE
2 RD
COLLEGE OF ART
6 Dwight Holme 7 “Bulldog” Foo 8 George Crawf Science Buildi 9 Goodloe Apar 10 Goodloe Hous
18
19
11
D
BR NS
12
PR
3
5 Computer Scie
Field House
E
EN
Visitor Parking Permits
AD
14000 Jericho Park Rd. Bowie, MD 20715-9465 301-860-4000 or 1-877-77-BOWIE www.bowiestate.edu
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Ayers Saint Gross 1040 Hull Street, Suite 100 Baltimore, MD 21230 www.asg-architects.com