Design
Before the design phase, there should be a ‘design brief,’ outlining the goals and scope of the project. Then, the design phase will usually comprise two parts: (a) schematic/concept design and (b) design development. While these can be combined in some small communities where budgets are restrictive and the wayfinding system simple, the two-part approach is advisable for large urban areas and complex projects with multiple stakeholder groups.
The schematic/concept design phase references feedback from surveys and analyses when developing concepts for sign placements, sizes, materials, standards and costs. This allows an opportunity to revisit the project’s original goals.
The design development phase uses typography, colours, attachments and other specific details to turn the early elements into fully realized concept. It is important to ensure these details receive full regulatory approval before the project moves forward.
To test the designs for proper scale, photographic montages and temporary mock-ups should be developed early in this stage.
Material selection
Wayfinding signs must withstand a great deal of wear and tear, including the effects of air pollution, vandalism and the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, so durable materials are required. Measuring longevity should be an important part of the material specification process.
Paints and coatings, generally, show wear and tear most visibly over time. They should therefore be chosen based on the sign system’s intended lifespan, which may range from one to 20 years.
Digitally printed graphics have improved greatly in durability, but can also fade under intense environmental conditions. Some wayfinding signs are now printed on high-pressure laminates, while others protect vinyl with a weather-resistant coating.
In Calgary, a new downtown wayfinding system is primarily being funded through downtown licensing fees and developer contributions earmarked for public-space improvement projects. Photo courtesy Calgary Downtown Association
Aluminum, steel, wood, stone and concrete can all be used as long-lasting substrates, but durability falls not just on these materials, but on their connectors, which often fail first. Mechanical fasteners and hinges tend to outlast adhesives.
A modular system might include prefabricated boxes, removable messages and standard connectors to allow frequent updates, but multiple parts can also mean they are easier to vandalize.
Fabrication
The construction of wayfinding elements can be the most challenging and stressful phase of the project, not only because the planning and design work must be translated into actual built, installed and maintained signs, but also because civic projects often face fabricator selection rules that can complicate documentation and administration.
The level of documentation should be developed to match the bidding process. Publicly bid projects require exact specifications, while negotiated projects can include more general information and allow the signmaker to propose a customized approach.
A prototype phase is necessary as part of the overall bidding process, especially for public bids, to ensure all entities understand the project. In Banff, Alta., for example, a prototype exploration and rollout plan was key in moving toward an implementation of complex signs, landmarks and banners within a Canadian national park.
Once the chosen sign fabricators have begun work, the wayfinding project team, designers, managing committee and key officials can move on to the administration, monitoring and approval of construction. Communications will remain vital regarding electrical components, deep foundations and/or structural work.
