Danielle DeMarco - Wayfinding Guidelines by University of Michigan Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design

Danielle DeMarco

Wayfinding Guidelines

Hatcher Graduate Library

Contents

1 2 3

Overview

Project Proposal Process Identity

Typography Color Iconography Pattern Signage

Materials Building Map Introductory Signage Locational Signage Directional Signage Utility Signage

Donor Wall Application Signage

Hatcher Graduate Library

Overview

Project Proposal The goal of this project is to create a refreshed wayfinding system for the south building of the Hatcher Graduate Library on the University of Michigan central campus. Keeping inclusivity, accessibility at the forefront of my design decisions is essential given the wide range of use and audience this building serves. The scope of the project implements a single, unified wayfinding and visual system across all floors of the Hatcher South library, both in the stack carrels, floor lobbies, stairways and elevator areas. Under this unified system, the design establishes a clear differentiation between each floor of the south building while highlighting the stacks and resources available on each floor. The Audience of this project is an important consideration in defining the design principles of inclusivity and accessibility of the project. The needs of the library staff and their systems of operation must be considered in creating a new wayfinding system in addition to the university students, faculty and general public who use the building. This audience served by the library is comprised of an incredibly diverse range of ages, races, sexual orientations, genders, and abilities, which is a diversity that is accommodated for in the accessible visual system implemented through this project. Creating a space that is more visually and aesthetically pleasing and accessible will drive more engagement within the building and the resources within it.

Hatcher South

Overview

Process Visual analysis and observation of the library to identify inconsistencies, accessibility issues and design opportunities within the current wayfinding system of the building served as a starting point for my process. Completing research on the history of the building at the Bentley Historical Library further informed my creative decisions with regard to color, typography, scale and iconography. Ideations through gathering inspiration, sketching and taking detailed measurements aided my designs through the process of creating a wayfinding system that is visually effective within the physical space of the building.

Hatcher South

Hatcher Graduate Library

Identity

Typography

Typeface

When selecting the typeface, legibility and accessibility were primary considerations to accommodate a wide range of visible abilities and impairments. The classic sans serif, Helvetica, is utilized for its high x-height and legibility at different scales. The timeless feel of the font gives a traditional characteristic to its modern application, much like the combination of history and forward thinking the library encapsulates.

Helvetica ABCDEFGHIJKLM NOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklm nopqrstuvwxyz Weight

Hatcher South

Bold Medium Regular

Identity

HEX T RGB 185, 184, 19 CMYK 12, 0, 99, 24 PMS 7744 CP

HEX #7670AC RGB 118, 112, 172 CMYK 60, 60, 5, 0 PMS 2116 CP

HEX #2F518D RGB 47, 81, 141 CMYK 82, 62, 0, 26 PMS 19-4052 TPG

HEX #EF4033 RGB 239, 64, 51 CMYK 0, 90, 87, 0 PMS Warm Red C

HEX #002D50 RGB 0, 45, 80 CMYK 99, 73, 28, 51 PMS 540 C

HEX #007851 RGB 0, 120, 81 CMYK 93, 0, 7,5 38 PMS 341 XGC

HEX #E2DDD3 RGB 226, 221, 211 CMYK 11, 10, 15, 0 PMS 20-0083 TPM

HEX #414042 RGB 65, 64, 66 CMYK 0, 0, 0, 90 PMS 4284 C

HEX #666665 RGB 102, 102, 101 CMYK 64, 57, 56, 13 PMS 18-5203 TCX

Color Inspired by the different colorcoded systems already in place on each floor of the stacks, the color palette modernizes and brightens the old palette to create a more friendly and fresh aesthetic. The pairing of rich gem tones with bright hues has a contemporary look that still pays homage to the history of the building.

Hatcher South

Identity

Iconography The iconography borrows the same sharp and angled shapes as the building signage. Keeping the icons simple and solid conveys information in a clear, clean and legible manner.

Hatcher South

Identity

Pattern A pattern is created for the library for use in digital applications and print materials. The diagonal lines throughout the pattern are reminiscent of the perspective lines created when looking down the bookshelves of the stacks. The pathway between each shape creates the same meandering, labyrinth-like feel users of the library feel in the experience of walking through the stacks.

Hatcher South

Hatcher Graduate Library

Signage

Materials To combat the direct yellow lighting of the building, a matte acrylic material is used for wayfinding signage. The use of a matte finish removes any visibility-inhibiting glares while highlighting the colorful hues of the building identity. Each sign is mounted with a quarter inch pin, extending the building signage half an inch from the wall.

.5â&#x20AC;?

.25â&#x20AC;? .25â&#x20AC;?

Hatcher South

Signage

Introductory Signage Greeting users upon their entry in the south building entrance, this introductory signage emphasizes the namesake of the building. The scale, navy blue color and clear typography serves as an appropriate welcome to the largest library on the University of Michigan campus.

45â&#x20AC;?

18â&#x20AC;?

Hatcher Graduate Library

Hatcher South

30”

Signage

Hatcher South

Building Map Adjacent to the elevators on in the south building lobby, this comprehensive building map notifies users of the resources available to them as well as the organization of each floor upon their entrance to the building. The color-coded differentiation of each floor is first introduced through this application, and differentiates the information into digestible sections.

Academic Innovation Library Administration Papyrology

Library Staff Only

BF-NX Stacks Study Carrels Special Collections Library

85”

F-DC Stacks Study Carrels

890L

PZ-890L Stacks Study Carrels Reflection Room

Hatcher South

889-800 Stacks Study Carrels Children’s Literature Collection

Hatcher North/South Connector Undergraduate Library Connector Stephen S. Clark Map Library

889

800

28”

Signage

Locational Signage

7”

The locational signage used throughout the south building follows a unified grid and shape, creating a cohesive set of wayfinding. The diagonal edge is an element applied throughout the wayfinding system and identity pattern. This signage is used to indicate floor numbers in the stacks lobbies, as well as special resource locations and carrel room numbers within the stacks.

Children’s Literature Collection 11”

4”

Floor 3 6”

Hatcher South

6”

Stairs

5.25”

2.75”

310

Signage 11.5â&#x20AC;?

Locational Signage The doors from the lobby of each floor into the stacks will contain frosted vinyl numbers on the door windows. This design element creates more privacy for those studying in the stacks and reminds users of their current floor upon entry.

15â&#x20AC;?

Hatcher South

22.25”

Signage

Directional Signage Signage conveying information of resources on each floor is located between the elevators in the lobby of each floor of the south building. Positioned the point of traffic flow to maximize effectiveness, on each floor the present floor is highlighted a different color and extended to the left for further clarity and fast recognition. The color coordination of the floors is enforced consistently through this application.

42.75”

8 7 6 5 4

Academic Innovation Library Administration Papyrology Library Staff Only

BF-NX Stacks Study Carrels Special Collections Library F-DC Stacks Study Carrels

PZ-890L Stacks Study Carrels Reflection Room

889-800 Stacks Study Carrels Children’s Literature Collection

Hatcher South

2 1

Hatcher North/South Connector Undergraduate Library Connector Stephen S. Clark Map Library South Lobby South University Entrance

12.5”

Signage

Directional Signage

Carrel Number

Placed on the end of each carrel within the stacks, this signage combines a series of four separate signs into a single, comprehensive and organized composition. Providing the carrel number, floor map, call number directional signage and special location signage, a clear visual hierarchy is established to offer more detailed information as individuals become closer in proximity.

Hatcher South

889

26.5”

800

Floor Map

Hatcher South

889-889 .475 .G7

Call Numbers

Children’s Literature Collection

Special Areas

Signage

Directional Signage Large-scale signage painted in the stairwell of the south building brings clarity to users taking the stairs of what resources can be found on each floor. Each floor landing in the stairwell contains its own colored mural. This expansive and colorful directional signage brightens the otherwise dull stairway.

889-800 Stacks Study Carrels Children’s Literature Collection

Hatcher South

3 15’

7.5’

8”

Signage

Utility Signage The utility signage is kept simple and straightforward to give highest level of clarity and legibility in the important context of restrooms. Men, women and gender inclusive restroom signs are all applied to accommodate diverse users.

8”

Men

Women 13”

8”

Hatcher South

Gender Inclusive

Signage

30”

Rose Weiss Earl Moore

Donor Wall

Lena Lalwani

Utilizing the identity pattern as a three-dimensional design element, a different colored shape placard is used for each individual donor. Larger donors with higher contributions to the library are placed on larger placard on the left side of the wall to acknowledge their generosity.

Michael Allen Rick Gitari

Harlan Hatcher Matt Conway

Juli McLoone Stephen Ross Dawn Lawson

100” Josef Watkins Julie Herrada

Nancy J. Allee Max Martinez Lloyd Mbabu

Paul Banks Tim Utter

Hatcher South

Jason Imbesi Mary Phelps John O’Hara

Signage

Donor Wall The donor wall layers the same matte acrylic signage used throughout the building. The bottom quarter inch layer serves as the solid navy background on which the multi-colored donor placards are adhered. .5”

3.25”

Hatcher South

.25” .25”

Hatcher Graduate Library

Application

Hatcher South

Application

Hatcher South

Hatcher Graduate Library Wayfinding Guidelines Danielle DeMarco